Mold has been around since the dawn of time. It’s even talked about in the bible. Why does it seem this has become such a big problem in just the past 20 years?
There are a few key changes to our indoor enviroment which have encouraged the proliferation of mold issues:
Around 1945, with the rise of faster and more affordable construction methods, drywall aka sheetrock began to replace plaster as the go-to building material and compressed plywood became commonplace. This shift is significant because drywall consists of compressed gypsum sandwiched between two layers of durable paper and plywood is more absorbant than natural wood.
These designs create a major issue for mold prevention. The paper on the drywall is an ideal food source for mold once it gets wet and gypsum, being highly absorbent, traps moisture and dries slowly. This combination allows water to seep into the paper layer, creating the perfect environment for mold growth. The same can be said for compressed plywood - it’s really hard to dry out.
The housing boom that began after World War II, and continues to this day, has only intensified the problem. With the demand for rapid construction, quality has sometimes suffered, leading to more frequent water issues that foster mold growth. In contrast, older homes built with plaster, brick, or stone were less susceptible to mold, as those materials don’t provide the same organic food source that paper-based drywall does.
Since the 1970s, homes have been designed to be more energy-efficient and airtight, improving comfort but creating unintended problems. Airtight homes don’t allow for proper ventilation, which can trap moisture and lead to mold growth. According to the Pennsylvania Housing Research Center, “When water gets into walls now, they no longer dry out quickly, leading to serious mold problems, rot, and decay.”
The result? Harmful substances stay trapped, much like the fumes of a running lawn mower indoors, posing significant health risks. While mold outdoors isn’t usually harmful, when it grows unchecked inside, it becomes a serious danger.
HVAC systems, found in most homes since the 1950s, have essentially become mold spore distribution networks. While filters are supposed to trap particles they aren’t perfect seals and most people forget to change their filters. We often go into homes where filters haven’t been changed for years or are improperly installed allowing moldy air to recirculate.
On top of this, most air conditioning systems use condensing coils inside which can “sweat” and become mold breeding grounds if not serviced or maintained properly.
It used to be that the federal housing administration wouldn’t approve loans if the home had flooring that couldn’t last 30+ years. This led to most floors being made from wood or tile.
This changed in the 1970s and 80s when wall-to-wall carpeting became popular. Carpet is absorbent and much harder to dry out than hardwood or tile which creates mold problems.
These problems are exacerbated when there is carpet near kitchens or in bathrooms.
Additionally, carpet is great at trapping mold spores that can go airborne and attach themselves to other humid spots in the home when disturbed.
Homes today have more bathrooms and sinks than ever, many of which go unused for long periods. When P-traps (that bent pipe under your sink and bathroom) dry out, they allow mold, mycotoxins, exotoxins, and sewer gas into the indoor environment.
Even in frequently used sinks there can be mold issues.
It used to be that to do dishes we used to have to fill the kitchen sink with soapy water and rinse water, sending a rush of 5+ gallons down the drain daily, which helped keep the pipes and disposal clean. Now, with dishwashers being the norm, that water flow is rare.
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