Three conditions must be met for mold to grow:

1. There must be a food supply; books, carpets, clothing, wood, drywall, etc.
2. There must be a source of moisture.
3. The home’s temperature must be a range of 35  to 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

As a homeowner, one needs to consider how to control the moisture in the home.  Moisture is a result of poorly insulated pipes, no or little wall insulation, lack of roof vents or the result of water penetrating the structure via seeping from the ground to the basement floor, leaking interior wall pipes or through wall or roof holes.  There are many ways to remedy, reduce or work with deficiencies in a home’s structure which will allow for comfortable living without fear.  Here are some maintenance tips for your home:
_{To reduce mold’s food chain; rid your home of items no longer used and that collect dust and hold moisture.  Use a dehumidifier during the warm months.  Use floor coverings compatible with slab or below grade floors, not carpet.  Check and replace furnace filters on a regular bases.  If using a HRV – Heat Recovery Ventilator, keep the filter clean.  If mold is found, use well-known information to remove it and clean the surface area.  Electric baseboard units should be vacuumed or professional cleaned.  Using a vacuum with a HEPA filter, vacuum often, cleaning hard floors with a damp mop.  Cut down on the number of plants in your home; soil is a place that mold likes to grow.  Make sure your home’s eaves-troughs and downspouts are correctly connected, clear of debris and functioning property.  Fix all water leaks, inside and out, while monitoring the roof and exterior finish for any areas where water might enter.}