Mold, Mildew and Musty Odors
How badly your house becomes infested with molds, mildew and musty odors is determined by a number of factors, including air circulation, possible leaks, prior water damage and the amount of organic materials present. Depending on the severity of the problem, mold may be found growing on walls, doors, carpeting, clothes, books, and other items.
Mold grows in the form of dark or very white spots. In many cases you can't see it, but you can smell it. If you have musty odors in your house there is a high likelihood that molds are present. Musty odors are a gaseous byproduct of mold growth!
Mildew is caused by mold. If you regard regular mildew accumulation on surfaces as a common nuisance routinely treated with a household cleaner, then you are overlooking the potentially far more serious condition that is triggering it, and constantly spraying it down and wiping it up could be likened to putting a Band-Aid® on a gunshot wound.
Even when exterior water sources are minimized, moisture in the indoor air still builds up from poorly vented combustion appliances, showers, cooking, laundry and even breathing. High indoor relative humidity and stagnant air are ideal for mold growth, and damp unventilated crawl spaces and basements present perfect breeding grounds for mold and the resulting musty odors and mildew.
It is also important to note that homes that have undergone remediation or restoration work for a prior mold or water damage occurrence were treated to correct a specific condition at the time - namely the removal of the existing mold or the cleanup of the water-damaged area. In most of these cases preventive measures to safeguard the structure from future moisture-related problems are not included in the job, yet many such homeowners harbor a false sense of security in thinking that the remediation or restoration work means that their houses are somehow now permanently moisture and mold resistant; that the mildew they currently see and/or the musty odors they currently smell are mere residuals from these past events. Much to the contrary, without effective and ongoing moisture control measures in place these are very strong indicators of the presence of high moisture levels and mold in their homes today.
The bottom line is this: When you can see mold or mildew - or smell musty odors - then you can be sure that not only is moisture dangerously accumulating but the contaminants in your house are not being expelled as well.
The Moisture Control and Ventilation systems available through Coastal Dry Home reduce excess moisture and increase ventilation, thereby depriving mold spores of the nutrients and conditions they need to thrive. Lowering relative humidity and eliminating stagnant air through increased ventilation are the most crucial factors in reducing favorable environmental conditions for indoor mold growth.
Mold grows in the form of dark or very white spots. In many cases you can't see it, but you can smell it. If you have musty odors in your house there is a high likelihood that molds are present. Musty odors are a gaseous byproduct of mold growth!
Mildew is caused by mold. If you regard regular mildew accumulation on surfaces as a common nuisance routinely treated with a household cleaner, then you are overlooking the potentially far more serious condition that is triggering it, and constantly spraying it down and wiping it up could be likened to putting a Band-Aid® on a gunshot wound.
Even when exterior water sources are minimized, moisture in the indoor air still builds up from poorly vented combustion appliances, showers, cooking, laundry and even breathing. High indoor relative humidity and stagnant air are ideal for mold growth, and damp unventilated crawl spaces and basements present perfect breeding grounds for mold and the resulting musty odors and mildew.
It is also important to note that homes that have undergone remediation or restoration work for a prior mold or water damage occurrence were treated to correct a specific condition at the time - namely the removal of the existing mold or the cleanup of the water-damaged area. In most of these cases preventive measures to safeguard the structure from future moisture-related problems are not included in the job, yet many such homeowners harbor a false sense of security in thinking that the remediation or restoration work means that their houses are somehow now permanently moisture and mold resistant; that the mildew they currently see and/or the musty odors they currently smell are mere residuals from these past events. Much to the contrary, without effective and ongoing moisture control measures in place these are very strong indicators of the presence of high moisture levels and mold in their homes today.
The bottom line is this: When you can see mold or mildew - or smell musty odors - then you can be sure that not only is moisture dangerously accumulating but the contaminants in your house are not being expelled as well.
The Moisture Control and Ventilation systems available through Coastal Dry Home reduce excess moisture and increase ventilation, thereby depriving mold spores of the nutrients and conditions they need to thrive. Lowering relative humidity and eliminating stagnant air through increased ventilation are the most crucial factors in reducing favorable environmental conditions for indoor mold growth.
