Preventing Mold - Heating and Ventilating Properly

Mold in the home is not only unsightly, but it can also damage the building structure and affect indoor air quality. Especially in well-insulated buildings, it’s important to ensure the right balance between heating, ventilating and room temperature. Everyday activities such as showering, cooking, drying laundry or even breathing create moisture in the indoor air. If this moisture isn’t regularly removed, it can condense in cool areas of the home - leading to mold growth.

Following a few simple guidelines can significantly reduce this risk. On this page, we’ve compiled the most important information and tips for you.

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AI generated

Why does Mold form?

Mold forms when excessive moisture comes into contact with cold surfaces and the moisture is not adequately removed. In modern, well-insulated homes, moisture can hardly escape to the outside - so regular ventilation is especially important.
 

Typical causes include:

<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="24px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="24px" fill="#002c77"><path d="m560-240-56-58 142-142H160v-80h486L504-662l56-58 240 240-240 240Z"/></svg>  high indoor humidity

<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="24px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="24px" fill="#002c77"><path d="m560-240-56-58 142-142H160v-80h486L504-662l56-58 240 240-240 240Z"/></svg>  room temperatures that are too low

<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="24px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="24px" fill="#002c77"><path d="m560-240-56-58 142-142H160v-80h486L504-662l56-58 240 240-240 240Z"/></svg>  windows left tilted open for extended periods

<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="24px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="24px" fill="#002c77"><path d="m560-240-56-58 142-142H160v-80h486L504-662l56-58 240 240-240 240Z"/></svg>  insufficient ventilation

 

The cooler a room is, the more frequently it needs to be ventilated.

Preventing Mold -

in 4 easy steps


<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="24px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="24px" fill="#002C77"><path d="m424-296 282-282-56-56-226 226-114-114-56 56 170 170Zm56 216q-83 0-156-31.5T197-197q-54-54-85.5-127T80-480q0-83 31.5-156T197-763q54-54 127-85.5T480-880q83 0 156 31.5T763-763q54 54 85.5 127T880-480q0 83-31.5 156T763-197q-54 54-127 85.5T480-80Zm0-80q134 0 227-93t93-227q0-134-93-227t-227-93q-134 0-227 93t-93 227q0 134 93 227t227 93Zm0-320Z"/></svg> 
Heat all rooms regularly, even those that are rarely used.

<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="24px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="24px" fill="#002C77"><path d="m424-296 282-282-56-56-226 226-114-114-56 56 170 170Zm56 216q-83 0-156-31.5T197-197q-54-54-85.5-127T80-480q0-83 31.5-156T197-763q54-54 127-85.5T480-880q83 0 156 31.5T763-763q54 54 85.5 127T880-480q0 83-31.5 156T763-197q-54 54-127 85.5T480-80Zm0-80q134 0 227-93t93-227q0-134-93-227t-227-93q-134 0-227 93t-93 227q0 134 93 227t227 93Zm0-320Z"/></svg>  Do not turn the heat off completely, even when you are away.

<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="24px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="24px" fill="#002C77"><path d="m424-296 282-282-56-56-226 226-114-114-56 56 170 170Zm56 216q-83 0-156-31.5T197-197q-54-54-85.5-127T80-480q0-83 31.5-156T197-763q54-54 127-85.5T480-880q83 0 156 31.5T763-763q54 54 85.5 127T880-480q0 83-31.5 156T763-197q-54 54-127 85.5T480-80Zm0-80q134 0 227-93t93-227q0-134-93-227t-227-93q-134 0-227 93t-93 227q0 134 93 227t227 93Zm0-320Z"/></svg>  Use thermostats to maintain a consistent temperature.

<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="24px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="24px" fill="#002C77"><path d="m424-296 282-282-56-56-226 226-114-114-56 56 170 170Zm56 216q-83 0-156-31.5T197-197q-54-54-85.5-127T80-480q0-83 31.5-156T197-763q54-54 127-85.5T480-880q83 0 156 31.5T763-763q54 54 85.5 127T880-480q0 83-31.5 156T763-197q-54 54-127 85.5T480-80Zm0-80q134 0 227-93t93-227q0-134-93-227t-227-93q-134 0-227 93t-93 227q0 134 93 227t227 93Zm0-320Z"/></svg>  Make sure radiators are not covered or blocked.


<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="24px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="24px" fill="#002C77"><path d="m424-296 282-282-56-56-226 226-114-114-56 56 170 170Zm56 216q-83 0-156-31.5T197-197q-54-54-85.5-127T80-480q0-83 31.5-156T197-763q54-54 127-85.5T480-880q83 0 156 31.5T763-763q54 54 85.5 127T880-480q0 83-31.5 156T763-197q-54 54-127 85.5T480-80Zm0-80q134 0 227-93t93-227q0-134-93-227t-227-93q-134 0-227 93t-93 227q0 134 93 227t227 93Zm0-320Z"/></svg>  Open the windows and ventilate several times a day

<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="24px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="24px" fill="#002C77"><path d="m424-296 282-282-56-56-226 226-114-114-56 56 170 170Zm56 216q-83 0-156-31.5T197-197q-54-54-85.5-127T80-480q0-83 31.5-156T197-763q54-54 127-85.5T480-880q83 0 156 31.5T763-763q54 54 85.5 127T880-480q0 83-31.5 156T763-197q-54 54-127 85.5T480-80Zm0-80q134 0 227-93t93-227q0-134-93-227t-227-93q-134 0-227 93t-93 227q0 134 93 227t227 93Zm0-320Z"/></svg>  Open the windows wide for about 5 minutes, keep the interior doors closed.

<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="24px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="24px" fill="#002C77"><path d="m424-296 282-282-56-56-226 226-114-114-56 56 170 170Zm56 216q-83 0-156-31.5T197-197q-54-54-85.5-127T80-480q0-83 31.5-156T197-763q54-54 127-85.5T480-880q83 0 156 31.5T763-763q54 54 85.5 127T880-480q0 83-31.5 156T763-197q-54 54-127 85.5T480-80Zm0-80q134 0 227-93t93-227q0-134-93-227t-227-93q-134 0-227 93t-93 227q0 134 93 227t227 93Zm0-320Z"/></svg>   Avoid leaving windows tilted open all the time - this increases heating costs and promotes moisture buildup.

<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="24px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="24px" fill="#002C77"><path d="m424-296 282-282-56-56-226 226-114-114-56 56 170 170Zm56 216q-83 0-156-31.5T197-197q-54-54-85.5-127T80-480q0-83 31.5-156T197-763q54-54 127-85.5T480-880q83 0 156 31.5T763-763q54 54 85.5 127T880-480q0 83-31.5 156T763-197q-54 54-127 85.5T480-80Zm0-80q134 0 227-93t93-227q0-134-93-227t-227-93q-134 0-227 93t-93 227q0 134 93 227t227 93Zm0-320Z"/></svg>  Be sure to ventilate thoroughly after showering, bathing, cooking, or drying laundry.

<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="24px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="24px" fill="#002C77"><path d="m424-296 282-282-56-56-226 226-114-114-56 56 170 170Zm56 216q-83 0-156-31.5T197-197q-54-54-85.5-127T80-480q0-83 31.5-156T197-763q54-54 127-85.5T480-880q83 0 156 31.5T763-763q54 54 85.5 127T880-480q0 83-31.5 156T763-197q-54 54-127 85.5T480-80Zm0-80q134 0 227-93t93-227q0-134-93-227t-227-93q-134 0-227 93t-93 227q0 134 93 227t227 93Zm0-320Z"/></svg>  Fogged-up windows or damp windowsills are a warning sign of excessive humidity.


<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="24px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="24px" fill="#002C77"><path d="m424-296 282-282-56-56-226 226-114-114-56 56 170 170Zm56 216q-83 0-156-31.5T197-197q-54-54-85.5-127T80-480q0-83 31.5-156T197-763q54-54 127-85.5T480-880q83 0 156 31.5T763-763q54 54 85.5 127T880-480q0 83-31.5 156T763-197q-54 54-127 85.5T480-80Zm0-80q134 0 227-93t93-227q0-134-93-227t-227-93q-134 0-227 93t-93 227q0 134 93 227t227 93Zm0-320Z"/></svg> 
Do not place large pieces of furniture directly against exterior walls.

<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="24px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="24px" fill="#002C77"><path d="m424-296 282-282-56-56-226 226-114-114-56 56 170 170Zm56 216q-83 0-156-31.5T197-197q-54-54-85.5-127T80-480q0-83 31.5-156T197-763q54-54 127-85.5T480-880q83 0 156 31.5T763-763q54 54 85.5 127T880-480q0 83-31.5 156T763-197q-54 54-127 85.5T480-80Zm0-80q134 0 227-93t93-227q0-134-93-227t-227-93q-134 0-227 93t-93 227q0 134 93 227t227 93Zm0-320Z"/></svg>  Leaving a gap of 5 to 10 cm allows for air circulation and prevents moisture buildup.

FAQ


Frequently Asked Questions from Our Tenants

 

Yes. Even rooms that are rarely used should be heated, since cold rooms are particularly prone to moisture and mold growth.

During the heating season, we recommend ventilating (open the windows completely) each room thoroughly at least three times a day - regardless of the weather.

No. Tilted windows provide very little air circulation, but they do cool the walls. This can promote mold growth and increase heating costs.

Signs may include fogged-up windows, damp windowsills or a musty odor.

Please contact your tenant services department immediately. Together, we’ll determine the next steps to identify and repair any potential damage as soon as possible.

Ventilate and heat your home regularly and keep an eye on the humidity levels. A hygrometer can help you monitor humidity and take action early on.

The humidity in living spaces should ideally be between 40% and 60%. You can easily check the levels with a hygrometer. If humidity consistently exceeds 60%, the risk of mold increases.

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