Dealing with mold growth can be a real pain in the neck for homeowners. This is because mold is a tricky substance you have to deal with. It is persistent, and it is quite dangerous to both health and the structure of one's home.
There's a lot of common knowledge about how to deal with mold.
There are tips and tricks that people use to prevent mold growth from happening in their homes. However, there are also a lot of misconceptions.
One of the biggest misconceptions about mold growth is that mold cannot grow in cold temperatures.
Here we will answer whether mold can grow in cold temperatures and what it takes to thrive and grow. Through understanding this, we can learn how best to prevent mold in cold temperatures.
Does Mold Grow in the Cold?
This is a picture of a shoe covered in a white mold in Antarctica.It needs to be understood that mold can grow in cold temperatures and that there is an actual species of mold that we know as snow mold.
It simply depends on the species you're dealing with. Some thrive in Antarctica, while others prefer tropical and sub-tropical climates. Others hang out somewhere between the two.
Temperature Requirements for Mold Growth
You need to understand that not all molds are the same. The fact is that there are molds that are perfectly capable of growing at lower temperatures. If there were not, then it would not be important to check your fridge regularly for moldy food. However, other molds cannot thrive in cold temperatures.
Impact of Cold on Mold Growth
Cold temperatures cannot kill mold. However, they can slow and even stop mold from growing. It can stop mold in its tracks but will not kill it.
Common Places Mold Can Grow in Cold Temperatures
Refrigerators
As previously mentioned, the refrigerator is one of the places where mold can grow and has cold temperatures. While it is gross to think about, everybody has, at some point or another, left something in the fridge a little too long, only to find a nasty green surprise on it.
Cold, Moist Climates
Areas that have colder climates still experience mold growth. Numerous molds grow outdoors, even in cold climates. You will see mold on dead trees, leaves, and other forms of dead vegetation.
Methods to Prevent Mold Growth in Cold Temperatures
Remember that not all molds are the same to prevent mold growth in cold temperatures. Some molds will thrive in cold temperatures, and others cannot grow in them. Freezing temperatures may not kill mold but may make mold growth easier to curb. Here are some ways that you can prevent mold growth in cold temperatures.
Reduce Moisture
Mold may be able to endure cold temperatures, but it cannot overcome a dry environment. If you can reduce the moisture in your home, you can prevent mold growth.
To reduce moisture, you must ensure that your plumbing is not leaky or faulty and reduce unnecessary water use in your home. You should also check your windows for any excess moisture that may have accumulated due to condensation from low temperatures. If you deal with high humidity levels, a quality dehumidifier may help.
Eliminating moisture does not kill the mold or its spores because it remains dormant until moisture accumulates with organic matter.
Increase Air Circulation
Incapable of growing in areas that have decent air circulation. This is because good air circulation dries out an environment to a degree where mold cannot thrive.
A good way to get air circulation in your home is to use ceiling fans or any other available fan. It's also a good idea to make sure that you stay on top of swapping out your air vents every couple of months.
Don't forget the bathroom, laundry room, and kitchen. These specific rooms need a little extra care with the help of an exhaust fan.
We see them more frequently in bathrooms, but most never follow the advice of installing one in the laundry room. If you have a hood vent over your cooking area, one is unnecessary as long as it vents to the outside.
Remove Food Sources
You need to remove any source of nutrients that mold can potentially latch onto in your home. The best way to do this is to ensure you regularly and diligently clean your home.
You would be amazed at how much a little inspection and maintenance can do to prevent mold growth in your home.
Conclusion
Mold growth can happen anywhere there is moisture and food for the mold to feed off. Temperature is hardly a factor in whether mold can grow. It can only affect how it grows and at what speed.
With this knowledge, you should be able to protect your home from mold growth, no matter the temperature.
