Key Takeaways
- Despite common belief, mold can grow in cold temperatures, or remain dormant until temperatures warm up again.
- In cold environments, mold can grow due to condensation in attics, insulation, and around HVAC systems.
- To prevent mold growth, home and business owners should take measures year-round, like controlling humidity levels in the building, addressing any moisture, and cleaning any mold immediately.
- A professional mold remediation service is the most reliable for mold testing and carrying out effective mold mitigation.
Many people think mold is out of sight and out of mind once the rainy spring and humid summer pass and cold weather sets in. However, this is a common misconception. It’s important to be aware of it year-round, as mold can sneakily grow even in cold environments with the right conditions.
With the cold winters we see in the Pacific Northwest, it’s important to understand how cold temperatures affect mold growth. By understanding what factors lead to mold growth and knowing what steps to take to remediate mold in cold weather, you can keep your home free from mold year-round.
How Does Mold Grow?
Mold grows along surfaces in damp, warm environments through the spread of spores. These mold spores circulate through the air and begin to grow into mold or mildew when they land on a suitable surface.
Mold feeds off organic material to thrive. Once it begins to grow, the mold often breaks down the material it grows on for food. For example, mold can feed off any of the following in and around your property:
- Wallpaper glue
- Paints
- Greases
- Wood products
- Indoor dust
How Do Cold Temperatures Affect Mold Growth?
Although the rainy spring seems like the perfect environment for mold growth, mold can grow in cold temperatures, too. In fact, mold growth is a sneaky threat throughout the winter, as circumstances created by wintry weather, like running heating systems, make it a great time of year for mold to grow.
Most types of mold, like black mold, grow within a temperature range of 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. However, there are many different types of mold that can survive a variety of conditions, so this is not a perfect metric, and temperatures at which mold can grow can vary.
Cold weather does not kill mold—if temperatures are not ideal for growth, mold spores can simply lay dormant until the temperatures rise back up. With this being the case, it’s important to control mold at all points of the year.
One of the key culprits for mold growth in the winter is condensation. Condensation occurs when warm and moist air comes into contact with cool surfaces, causing the buildup of water vapor. Snow and rain can also create wet conditions in cold weather that allow water to sit and build up in areas, which can lead to mold growth.
Mold poses risks to your health and property. Alpha Environmental provides expert remediation and removal to protect you and your home.Keep Your Property Free from Mold
Mold Trouble Spots in Cold Environments
Even in cold weather, there are hot spots where mold can grow. The risk of condensation in several areas throughout the home makes mold much more common in the winter than people would generally think.
Some of the trouble spots where mold can grow in cold environments include:
- Building insulation – Condensation from the cold weather outside and the warm air inside can allow moisture to build up in the insulation and facilitate mold growth.
Attics – The warm air circulating through an attic combined with cold air pushing down on top can cause condensation that allows mold to spread. - HVAC Systems – The heat from a functioning HVAC system mixed with the condensation can create a perfect environment for mold growth.
- Poorly ventilated areas – Areas like the bathroom, laundry room, or under sinks can all lend themselves to growing mold because of the moisture and often lack of ventilation.
Understanding these trouble spots can give you the tools and awareness to identify mold and address the risk of growth before it takes hold. With an understanding of these trouble spots, you should have a mold inspection completed. Air circulation and moisture control in these spaces are important for controlling humidity levels.
How To Prevent Mold Growth During Winter
Preventing mold growth centers around controlling indoor humidity levels and addressing any moisture that develops as soon as possible. The key is to be proactive by addressing issues that can lead to moisture buildup or intrusion in the home.
Home and business owners can take these steps to prevent mold growth during the winter:
- Receive regular inspections of your roof
- Ensure periodic inspections and maintenance of your HVAC system
- Address any plumbing issues as soon as possible
- Use safe mold-killing cleaners in areas where mold has grown in the past
Signs of mold include a musty smell, discoloration of materials, frequent moisture in an area, or a slimy patch that grows over time.
Effective Strategies for Mold Mitigation
Any effective mold mitigation strategy starts with a quick response and the proper expertise to address the issue. To mitigate the risk of mold growth in your home during cold weather, take the following steps:
- Conduct regular inspections – Keep an eye out for mold in your home by monitoring for any signs. If you think you notice signs of mold, consult a professional service for a more detailed inspection.
- Perform thorough testing – Mold testing will help you understand the full extent of the threat so that you can address and remove all of the mold in the space.
- Mold remediation – Mold remediation will remove as much of the mold from the space as is possible. This process must be meticulous to ensure that you don’t just remove the mold on the surface, but any mold that’s worked its way underneath. This process also requires careful disposal of any materials.
For any of the above strategies, it’s best that you contact a professional mold remediation service for support. These services will have the equipment and expertise necessary to safely remove the mold, ensure a healthy air quality, and ensure the building no longer poses a threat to others.
At Alpha Environmental, we have over 21 years of experience supporting home and business owners with mold remediation in Portland and the surrounding areas in Oregon.
How Alpha Environmental Can Help Tackle Cold Weather Mold Growth
Despite common misconceptions, cold weather can also create a suitable environment for mold growth. As with any other time of year, you should take steps to prevent mold from growing in cold weather. If you do encounter mold, always turn to a professional service for support.
Alpha Environmental helps protect home and business owners against the risks of mold with professional mold testing, thorough inspections, and mold remediation, helping you take a well-rounded approach to mold in your home. We have the tools and experience to control mold without risking additional exposure to anyone on the property.
Contact Alpha Environmental today to keep mold on your property under control.
