Imagine walking into your home and being greeted by a moldy smell. While Colorado Springs has a relatively dry climate, homes still experience water damage, snowmelt, and plumbing leaks that create the conditions for mold growth. If left untreated, this can cause damage to your home and affect the quality of the air you breathe.
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Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Why Does Mold Grow in Houses?
Mold needs three primary things to grow:
- Water
- Organic materials
- Temperature
Organic materials like drywall, wood, and paper are abundant. If these materials get wet due to a leak, humidity, or flooding, mold spores will land on them and start to grow within 24 to 48 hours.
Resource: iac2.org
Why is Mold Such a Problem in Colorado Springs?
The air in Colorado Springs is generally dry, and the weather patterns create moisture challenges. In the winter months, we experience heavy snowfall that can cause ice dams and rapid spring snowmelt, leading to basement flooding and roof leaks.
What Are the Health Risks of Mold Exposure?
Exposure to mold in your home can cause a range of physical reactions, especially if you are sensitive to it. These symptoms include:
- Allergies: Sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rashes
- Respiratory irritation: Asthma or shortness of breath
Resource: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Common Signs of Mold in Your Home
Mold is not always obvious. In some cases, homeowners notice the warning signs before they ever see visible growth. Common signs include:
- A musty smell in one area of the home
- Dark, green, white, or gray spots on walls, ceilings, or baseboards
- Peeling paint or bubbling drywall
- Staining around windows, vents, or plumbing
- Ongoing allergy-like symptoms indoors
- Past water damage that never fully dried out
You may also notice discoloration, staining, a persistent musty odor, or health-related irritation even when mold is not immediately visible.
What Does Mold Look Like?
The color of mold can vary from black, dark green, brown, white, and even pink and orange. It is often fuzzy, slimy, or powdery and spreads in patches across a surface. The smell of mold is very distinctive and is often described as damp, earthy, musty, or rotting, like wet wood or dirty socks.
What to Do When You Find Mold
If you notice mold in your home, do not ignore it or paint over it. That will not solve the underlying issue. Start with these steps:
Identify the Moisture Source
Look for leaks, condensation, drainage issues, or ventilation problems. Mold will usually return if the moisture problem remains.
Limit Further Exposure
Keep the area as isolated as possible, especially if the affected space is large or if anyone in the home has breathing sensitivities.
Do Not Disturb Large Areas
Scrubbing or tearing into contaminated materials can spread spores through the air. Larger mold problems should be evaluated by trained professionals.
Call a Mold Restoration Professional
A professional team can inspect the affected area, determine how far the mold has spread, remove damaged materials when needed, and help correct the moisture issues that allowed mold to grow in the first place.
Cleaning and Removing Mold
According to the EPA, homeowners should be able to clean up mold if the area is small, 10 square feet or less. If it is larger than that, is in the heating and cooling system, is behind walls, or was caused by contaminated water, you should hire a professional. CMS has the necessary equipment to safely remove moisture and mold from large areas without spreading spores to other parts of your home.
Resource: epa.gov
Preventing Mold Growth
The best way to prevent mold growth is to control moisture. Make sure you have no leaks in your roof, walls, or plumbing, and fix them as soon as you find them. Keep the humidity level in your home below 50, ensure your home is well ventilated, and prevent water from collecting near your home by keeping your gutters clean and your yard properly graded.
How Often Should I Inspect My Home for Mold?
Look for signs of mold at least twice a year. Spring, after the snow has melted, and fall, before it starts getting cold, are ideal times. Check under sinks and around water-using appliances, as well as your attic, basement, or crawl space. If you suspect your home is contaminated with mold, have a CMS Restoration professional assess it.
What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover?
Homeowners’ insurance policies typically only cover mold remediation if the mold is caused by a sudden and accidental “covered peril.” A burst pipe or a malfunctioning water heater would likely qualify. Mold due to lack of maintenance, slow leaks, or simple high humidity wouldn’t.
What Are My Rights as a Tenant?
If you notice mold, put it in writing and let your landlord know. If they fail to address a serious mold problem caused by defects in the building, you might be within your rights to terminate the lease or withhold rent. Keep in mind, though, that you are responsible for managing moisture that’s caused by your actions or failure to act (say, by neglecting to flip on the bathroom fan).
Final Thoughts
Remember that mold is the result of unmanaged moisture. If you stay on top of moisture issues and act quickly to stop leaks and manage humidity, you can reduce the risk of serious mold growth. When you encounter water damage or a mold problem that is beyond your control, contact CMS Restoration to schedule an appointment.