Moisture in buildings and common structural problems allow mold to exist indoors. Mold creates and indoor problem that is unhealthy for it’s inhabitants. So make sure to find areas where mold is most likely to occur and if you see a problem, fix it quickly before is spreads. To keep ahead of mold you will need to inspect these problem areas routinely and even hire waterproofing services contractors to ensure your property is protected from water damage. If you find presence of mold growth, contact a mold removal and mold remediation company immediately.
Areas with Mold Potential…
- Exterior Corners –Exterior corners are often closer in temperature to the outdoor climate due to poor indoor air circulation, exterior wind-washing, low insulation, and larger areas of heat loss. The result can be condensation, moisture build-up and mold growth. Remedies include improving overall air circulation by removing obstructions, and installing forced air heating and ceiling fans.
- Cold Spots – When air conditioning blows cold air against an interior surface that can come into contact with warmer outdoor air, the result is moisture. Cold spots are usually caused by poor duct design, diffuser location or diffuser performance which may be all altered or relocated to solve the problem. You can also prevent hot air from contacting cold surfaces by controlling surface vapor pressure by the installation of vapor barriers, such as sealants and insulation. You can also moderate indoor temperatures to avoid over-cooling.
- Wall Coverings – Heavy impermeable wall coverings can cause cool air to be poorly diffused, which can cause even greater mold growth. So, removal of impermeable wall coverings such as vinyl wallpaper can help to minimize moisture retention and mold growth potential.
- Hot Spots – Structural elements that conduct heat well, such as exterior frame steel studs, uninsulated window lintels and concrete slab edges, are known as “thermal bridges” and can cause localized cooling that results in the moisture condensation which can cause mold growth. So, use insulated sheathings to reduce conduction of the heat and the cold.
- Windows – Windows are typically the coldest surface in any room, and the first condensing surface, during the winter. Newer high-performance glazing systems on windows can mask your problems where older windows will better show the problem. Regular inspection of windows and window frame areas can help to identify areas of condensation and potential mold growth.
- Thermal Wall Insulation – Ironically what you do to prevent mold can sometimes cause it when the thermal wall insulation keeps heat inside but allows inner wall surfaces to remain cold. This increases the possibility of condensation within sealed walls. If this is happening then you need to control the infiltration and exfiltration of moist air within the wall cavities or elevate the temperature if the inside wall by adding exterior insulation in heating climates and installing insulating sheathing to the interior of the wall framing and between the wall framing and gypsum board in cooling climates.
Mold Prevention Programs
Mold problems are almost inevitable in some situations and their clean up can be expensive and intrusive, so it’s important for a professional to establish an effective mold control, prevention, and countermeasure program. Identifying a potential mold problem as early as possible is key since it make the clean up less expensive and intrusive and limits the exposure to the buildings inhabitants.
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