Mold grows everywhere, from outside to inside your home or business. Mold thrives in especially moist climates, but what about the dry climates? Are they exempt from worrisome moldy predicaments? Many people think this way. They understand that moisture drives mold growth and living in a dry environment seemingly nixes any mold growth opportunity. That’s where things get tricky. Dry air doesn’t necessarily subdue mold.
Mold Lives On In Dry Climates
The first thing to realize about mold in dry climates is that it does live, but it doesn’t thrive. This is important to note about mold in general. When mold loses its moisture source, the mold spores do not die, they simply go dormant. They “go to sleep” awaiting some future opportunity to recommence their mold growing activities.
This is true in any home regardless of however moist or dry the climate is. The water intrusion may be addressed, but the mold damage still exists until it is rightly addressed.
Mold lives in dry areas. It may not be as prevalent as it is in more humid areas, but it’s there nonetheless.
Land Isn’t as Dry as You Think
A second thing to realize is that a region may be arid and dry, but that doesn’t mean that areas of any particular structure are also arid and dry. This may be obvious, but water is everywhere around us. Water is one of those necessities for life. To sustain a home, water needs to be present almost at all times. It needs to be piped into kitchens and bathrooms and drained from AC units. Our roofs also serve to guard our houses from water on those “rainy day” occasions.
Our homes are encompassed by water, so even if you live in a dry climate, water is not completely absent from your home.
What to Remember About Mold In Dry Climates
So, can mold grow in dry climates? Of course it can! Mold absolutely grows in dry climates. Although people in more humid environments might deal with mold more frequently, dry areas still have the potential for mold infestations. Mold only needs a bit of moisture, and that can come from the smallest of leaks in your home. Remember moisture still exists in dry climates, even if that moisture is more localized.
Before tackling any kind of mold damage in your home or business, remember a few things:
- Don’t be tempted to forget about mold.
Because dry climates naturally fight the causes of mold, you as a home owner or property manager are more likely to think mold is “no big deal.” That’s not necessarily the case. Be vigilant, and catch mold before it catches you.
- Mold is attached to a source.
Mold colonies form when there is a moisture source. That source could be a water intrusion from the roof, a faulty appliance or your AC condensation lines. Your goal is to check these areas to ensure you’re not seeing a build up of water or elevated moisture levels.
- Dry mold creates unique difficulties.
Because mold lives on, even when moisture dissipates, it still creates potential hazards for your structure. Dry mold more easily floats in the air. These dry mold spores can still be inhaled and irritate those who come in contact with the spores.
Despite popular belief, mold does grow in dry and arid climates. Because of that, it’s something you should still be aware of and look out for as a property owner.
