If there’s one thing all North Carolina and South Carolina homeowners know, it’s that springs and summers in the South are humid. Thick air and moisture can lead to a variety of issues around the house, including swollen wood doors that stick and bug infestations. But, there’s one problem you might not have considered — mold growth.
Mold loves warm, moist areas and Southern summers lead to a lot of perfect breeding grounds for various species of mold and mildew. It is, however, worth noting that mold can grow anytime of year and anywhere if the conditions are right — bathrooms, for example, often function as veritable petri dishes for mold to flourish.
If you’ve noticed mold growing on your Carolina home’s windows recently, you might have found yourself at something of a loss for how to handle the situation. After all, windows aren’t the most common place to find mold. Hopefully the following tips will help you.
Figure out what’s causing it.
Knowing you have a mold problem on the windows in your house is one thing — figuring out what is causing the issue is another, more important, matter altogether. After all, if you don’t know what the root of the mold infestation is, you won’t be able to stop it from happening again.
Generally, when mold develops on window frames or even, rarely, window panes, it is caused by excess moisture. Two common causes are rainwater seeping in around windows and condensation forming in bathrooms after hot showers or baths. In some cases, better ventilation can help clear-up mold, particularly in bathrooms. But, if you’ve noticed mold growing on numerous windows, it’s a good idea to have a professional take a look. Your house may have settled and your windows might need to be replaced or repaired to fit properly again.
Remove the window to deep clean the area.
If mold is growing on any of your Carolina home’s window frames, you will need to temporarily remove them to clean the entire frame thoroughly. This way, you can make sure even hidden mold on the interior of the frame is removed. This is important since certain species of mold, such as black mold, can actually cause severe health problems.
While you’re cleaning — a bleach solution is wise if you have vinyl window frames — make sure you seal any areas where water seems to be getting in. If you are struggling to find where the leaks are coming from, don’t hesitate to have a window installation professional take a look. He or she will be able to tell you if sealing the area is enough or if a new window is necessary.
The team at Hatch Homes is here to help North Carolina and South Carolina homeowners like you. Give us a call today if you have questions about mold growth on any of your home’s windows. We can help you come up with the best solution for your situation and budget. Remember, we’re here to provide you with the home renovation support you need every step of the way!