Mold Is in the Forecast for Hurricane Season

Our environmental testing experts in South Florida start to get a lot of calls for mold inspections this time of year.

May is the official start of the rainy season in the region and, on June 1, the 2021 hurricane season officially begins. Unofficially, the humidity levels usually start to climb upwards this time of year. And all that moisture provides the perfect breeding ground for mold.

As the Environmental Protection Agency says in their Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home, “The key to mold control is moisture control.”

Do You Need a Mold Test?

“Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but,” as the EPA explains, “indoors, mold growth should be avoided.”

Unfortunately, that can be easier said than done.

“Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture,” the EPA says.

The prognosticators at Colorado State University’s Tropical Weather and Climate Research department have issued their very first forecast for the 2021 hurricane season. It looks like it’s going to be a busy season, folks.

The Colorado State University Seasonal Hurricane Forecast for 2021 indicates that we can expect above-normal activity, with a total of:

• 17 Named Storms
• 8 Hurricanes
• And 4 Major Hurricanes (that’s a storm that is Category 3 or higher)

It doesn’t take a direct hit from a Category 3 storm to make mold a problem in your home. The humid, damp conditions associated with summer in South Florida increases the chances that you will find mold growing in your home or business.

If you see or suspect that mold has begun to spread, you may want to invest in a mold inspection. Mold testing will help you identify any problem areas and our environmental testing pros can help you understand the problem and suggest steps you should take to remediate it. If you need help navigating this situation, please feel free to contact us.