Handyman Alpharetta GA: What Causes Mold in Your Home 

Most people have seen some type of mold throughout their lives because it can appear in a variety of places, like food that has gone bad, growing across wet stones, or showing up in the corners of a damp cellar.

While you can toss rotten food, when you find mold growing inside your home, the problem isn't as easy to deal with.

First you need to identify what is causing the mold to grow and spread in order to take steps to resolve the issue.

Handyman Alpharetta GA: What Is Mold?

Mold is a form of fungi. It thrives in damp, dark environments where there is organic matter, like wood, to feast on.

Common areas around the home to find mold include bathrooms, kitchens, basements, attics, doors, and windows.

Cause: Insufficient Ventilation

One of the main reasons mold grows is because areas of the home are prone to high levels of moisture, like the bathroom or kitchen, are not properly ventilated.

Poor ventilation keeps the excess moisture trapped in one room where it settles onto the ceiling, walls, floors, and any other surfaces.

Airborne moisture can seep through narrow cracks and gaps, where it accumulates in dark, dank spaces, creating the ideal environment for mold to grow and spread.

Cause: Persistent Humidity

Mold and mildew need a damp or moist area to grow and thrive.

Persistent humidity can be a result of poor ventilation in areas of the home where moisture is common, like the kitchen or bathroom.

It can also be caused by humid weather conditions, continuous rainy weather, or even as a result of living near a large body of water.

Turning on a fan, opening a door, or opening a window are all simple ways to increase the ventilation in the home.

If you have just finished taking a shower, turn on the bathroom fan and open the door to allow the moisture to clear.


For areas that may be difficult to ventilate, like a basement, consider investing in a dehumidifier to help pull the moisture out of the air.

Cause: Leaking Pipes

Water damage is often caused by leaks behind the drywall or under the sink because the leak can go largely unnoticed for a long period of time. 

This damp, dark area is perfect for mold to grow and spread, especially if the water damage is extensive.

Cause: Condensation

Another factor than can lead to mold growth in your home is heavy condensation.

Condensation occurs when warm air comes into contact with a cold surface, like an exposed cold water pipe.

The water vapor in the air rapidly cools upon contact with the cold surface, condensing into water droplets. This process can be seen by observing a glass of ice water on a hot summer day.

The extreme difference in temperature quickly leads to water forming on the exterior of the glass.

Cause: Damp Basements

Basements often have high levels of moisture and humidity due to their location underground.

Any appliances that use water, like a washing machine, also increase the moisture in the air, but because these spaces are difficult to ventilate, the airflow through a basement is limited.

The damp, dark space quickly becomes a great location for mold to form, grow, and spread.

Handyman Alpharetta GA: We Can Help with Mold

Finding the source of the mold, like a leaky pipe or condensation buildup, is the first step to resolving the problem.

After determining the cause of the issue, you need to assess the extent of the mold growth. Call us we can help.

Need a Handyman in Alpharetta GA?

Give us a call! We also provide handyman services for the Lilburn, Suwanne, Buford, Lawrenceville, Duluth, Norcross, Stone Mountain, Gwinnett County, Cumming, Roswell, Johns Creek, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, Buckhead, Midtown, and Brookhaven.