What caused MOLD in my home when no water leak occurred?
If mold is developing on surfaces in your home and not caused by any leak or water intrusion, it is likely a humidity problem. When the humidity level in your home reaches 60% or higher, it provides an environment that will promote mold colonization. The difference between mold caused by a relative humidity problem and an actual water leak is simple to determine with a visual inspection. Since no water staining occurs with an elevated relative humidity, sometimes mold is not even noticed.
The photo on the left is looking at the wall in this closet and everything seems normal. However, shining a beam of light parallel to the surface the mold that is forming on the surface is illuminated. This mold is caused by a relative humidity problem in the home and not from a water leak.
There are many causes of high humidity levels in homes and here is a simple chart to aid in the discovery.
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Mold Detection |
Helpful Information |
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Air Conditioning has been turned off in the home for an extended period of time |
When the air conditioning has been turned off in a home, mostly over the summer months, the humidity level can easily rise above 60% which allows mold to begin colonizing on surfaces especially floor joists in the basement. |
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No ventilation in a specific area of the home |
Sometimes rooms with improper ventilation develop a high humidity level that will also allow mold to grow on walls, ceilings, and floors. |
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Improper sized compressor unit for the home |
An air conditioner compressor unit that is too large for the home it is serving can cause mold to colonize on surfaces inside the house. What happens is the compressor is so efficient at bringing the temperate in the home to the desired thermostat setting that it cools too quickly and does not extract the moisture out of the air. |
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Furnace has been changed but the compressor outside the home was not changed |
Another cause of mold in the home on surfaces is when the furnace has been changed but the outside compressor is still the old one. The new furnace and the compressor do not always communicate correctly and what happens is the compressor is OFF but the furnace continues to operate as if it is ON. This is a software problem that needs a start kit installed on the compressor. |
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