The windows are parts of your home where outdoor weather meets indoor air. Due to the temperature difference, when the two meet, condensation occurs. Moreover, when condensation turns into water droplets, mold will form. The following are ways to prevent mold growth on windows. Mold can form on both the inside and outside of windows, based on whether the warm, humid air is inside or outside your home. Condensation happens when warm, humid air comes in contact with a cold surface. If you are heating your home in a humid room, the mold will form inside when it hits the windowpanes cooled by outside air. On the outside, the mold will form on a humid day where condensation forms on the cool outer windowpanes and window frames caused by your indoor air conditioning.

Paint Your Walls and Windows With Mold Resistant Paints

Mold-resistant paints have potent antimicrobial ingredients that hinder mold growth on painted surfaces. Painting your windows with mold-resistant primer inhibits mold penetration into your window sills. Also, the paints make it impossible for existing mold to spread to other window parts. Mold often feeds on available materials on your window surfaces, including drywall and wood. Some molds feed on the structures of the window. Leaving the mold uncleaned for an extended period can damage the window structure. If you discover that your windows suffer from mold often, you need to get a painting specialist to upgrade your window painting. Look for FDA-approved and time-tested mold-resistant paints. These paints can only protect against newly established mold. When applying the paints on your drywall and wooden surfaces, remove existing mold first.

Maintain Quality Indoor Airflow

Ventilating your home and enhancing indoor quality reduces moisture circulation. It can too thwart the growth of mold. Condensation can also occur when water vapor from cooking and bathing forms water after touching the windowsills. Besides, mold can form when rainwater enters through damaged or badly installed windows. All these are common triggers of mold growth on the windows. There are many time-tested ways to improve indoor air quality. These include keeping the windows open and installing ceiling fans. To reduce moisture in the air flowing to and from the window sills, place a fan in it facing outwards. Placing exhaust fans in areas of your home that experience higher moisture threats can also prevent mold growth. When installing exhaust fans in your bathroom and kitchen, direct them outwards. That way, they can drive out all the moisture instead of circulating it inside your home.

Run Your Dehumidifier

For mold to grow, there must be enough moisture and condensation. A dehumidifier eliminates surplus moisture in the air. Reducing moisture content from air removes all the qualities that may sustain mold growth. Set your humidity target to 40%. This is a good range that tends to be both energy-efficient and prevents mold growth. Note that a dehumidifier won’t remove existing mold. Molds become dormant when the air is dry and resurface when conditions are favorable. Get existing mold removed as well. All humidifiers are not equal. Larger humidifiers suit large spaces, while smaller ones fit best for smaller spaces. Besides the humidifier’s capabilities, check the smart features. You need a humidifier with a mold-resistance feature. Machines with such a feature can reduce the chances of air distributed into your spaces, causing mold formation. Whole-house dehumidifiers are a good choice in really humid homes because they can be run through your thermostat. Finally, consider drainage with your dehumidifier. Portable machines have a collection basin that must be emptied and will prevent the machine from running when it is full.

Set Your Thermostat Temperatures Correctly

Mold grows best when indoor temperatures are above 76 degrees Fahrenheit. Mildew grows best at temperatures below 59 degrees. Keep your heating and cooling temperatures between these ranges to optimize your protection against microbial growth.

Clean Your Windows Regularly

One of the basic causes of mold around your windows is dust. Dust contains bacteria, dead skin cells, clothing fibers, pollen, and soil particles. When moisture mixes with the dust and warmth, mold growth starts. Letting your windows stay unopened and uncleaned for a lengthy period risks the introduction of outdoor mold spores. Cleaning is an effective method of keeping dust at bay and preventing the possibility of mold. Mix soap and warm water, and use the solution to clean debris and dust on your windows. If moisture has already formed on your windows, use a bleaching agent and warm water. You might have to repeat the process multiple times to remove the mold. A gentle scrub brush can help, even a toothbrush if the grooves are small on the window. If you prefer not to use bleach, a warm water and vinegar solution also works, especially in sunny areas.

Upgrade Your Windows

Older windows cause more condensation in your home because they are not a good insulator against outdoor temperatures. If you have single-pane or older double-pane windows, you can prevent a lot of mold-promoting condensation by upgrading to a new, more energy-efficient window. Newer double-pane windows are filled with argon gas and often contain a UV- protective coating. This can substantially change the amount of temperature difference you get when touching your windows, which then increases the likelihood of condensation. When replacing the window, be sure to consider the material for the frame and not just the glass. In particular, aluminum windows are known for their ability to conduct temperatures. Because of this, they are a major source of temperature conductivity from inside to outside or vice-versa. They are also the most likely window frame material to mold. Wood is more thermally protective than aluminum but it is a more inviting home for mold and can hold spores deeper in the material. Wood is harder to clean and remove all mold once it has been established. Vinyl is a better choice for both thermal conductivity and effective cleaning.

Work With Experts

If you have mold in your home, call our team at Pur360. We’re a licensed and certified company with an A+ BBB rating for outstanding odor and mold removal services. We offer free mold inspections and suggest the best ways to prevent mold growth. Our technicians use patented chemical-free treatments to end all types of mold. We can also paint your moisture-prone areas with mold-resistant paints to prevent mold growth. Our team has experience in removing all sizes and types of molds. We eradicate mold in dark areas, bathrooms, basements, windows, and attics. We have high- end mold testing tools and can easily detect mold attacks. Our team is also good at mold and flood damage remediation. We can clean and sanitize homes invaded by mold. We have certified experts for whole-house sanitization. Likewise, we have a team trained to provide air purification and indoor air quality. Our mold eradicators are also good at cigarette smoke removal. If your home has a bad odor or the basements have flooding, we can help remove carpets for easy cleaning. We can remove your drywall to uncover leaks in the property and cracks in the basement. After restoring your drywall, we can paint the areas to make the area look better. After eradicating the mold treatment, we also remove attic sheathing stains. Call Pur360 today for humidifier and fan rentals!