What to Know About Mold in Windows and Sills

6 min read

It can be disheartening to discover black mold growing on your window sill as a homeowner. Known as the silent enemy to many, its appearance on your window sill can be rather unsightly as they appear as dark spots that ruin your window’s paint job. Mold can also affect your home’s integrity as it slowly eats away at your home’s foundation.

Unfortunately, mold in windows is not an uncommon occurrence. Most homes are prone to mold around the windows, especially among older homes around areas that frequently get. Below, we’ll get into how to prevent mold from growing and mold remediation tips to get rid of mold in window sills.

Mold in Window Sills is Common

Mold commonly grows in areas where there is sufficient moisture, food, and heat. As one of the most exposed areas around your home, your window sill offers a suitable environment that attracts and promotes the growth of mold. This usually occurs as a result of trapped air in between window panes that form condensation when it comes into contact with cool air outside.

Some of the factors that contribute to condensation include the following:

• Humid air
• Lack of insulation
• Leaking pipes
• Inadequate heating
• Steam deposits
• Wood burning

Microbial growth on and around your window sill potentially causes significant damage to your home. If left untreated, the mold colonies can spread wider and affect a larger area, which puts the integrity of your home at risk.

Mold Can Grow on Glass, Too

The glass on your window isn’t organic, which means mold can’t consume it as its food source. However, mold can still technically grow on glass as it can consume substances that stick to its surface. For example, it can stick to dust and consume it as its primary food source.

Dust is made up of tiny particles from a wide variety of sources. These can include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Hair
• Dead skin cells
• Clothing fibers
• Dust mites
• Bacteria
• Bits of dead bugs
• Pollen
• Soil particles
• Microspecks of plastic

While the presence of dust alone isn’t enough to cause mold to grow, it’s different when dust becomes damp due to condensation or precipitation and is exposed to heat. Under these conditions, toxic black mold and other varieties can thrive.

Mold in Windows Can Be Toxic

The growth of mold in your windows can lead to a host of issues with your property and your and your family’s health. Toxic black mold is the most common type of mold and is also a leading cause of health issues around the home. It produces mycotoxins that may pose a significant danger to your family.

While other forms of mold don’t pose a significant threat to your life early on, inhaling spores may trigger allergic reactions, such as dry skin, runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, itchy throat, and a cough.

There are Different Types of Mold

Toxic black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum) is one of the most common types of mold that frequently grow inside your home. When mold spores settle in a spot under the right conditions, they can start to grow and form large colonies in as little as 48 hours.

Black mold spores can settle anywhere, including your windows, leading to the growth of toxic black mold, given enough time. However, black mold isn’t the only mold type that can grow under these conditions.

Other mold types that can grow on your windows include:

• White mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum)
• Red mold (Neurospora crassa)
• Yellow mold (Physarum polycephalum)
• Pink mold (Serratia marcescens)
• Green mold (Penicillium digitatum)
• Brown mold (Pithomyces chartarum)
• Dark gray mold (Alternaria alternata)

Different types of mold can exist on your windows at any given time. In some cases, they can grow at the same time. Once they start growing, the spores they release may impact your family’s health.

This is why it’s vital to act fast and avoid significant health issues with microbial growth. Professional mold remediation may even be necessary to prevent complications later on.

Bleach Can Help Get Rid of Mold in Window Sills

Getting rid of mold from your windows requires careful examination. You need to understand the type of material used on the window sill to avoid using substances that could cause it to deteriorate.

Generally, most window frames are made from aluminum, which is relatively easy to clean. Just soak the mold colonies in a bleach solution made from 1 cup of bleach (8 ounces) diluted in 1 gallon of water for a few minutes. You will visibly notice the mold colonies disappearing once they come in contact with the solution. Once it’s done, wipe the area clean.

However, a bleach solution will only work on non-porous surfaces. Wooden frames, for example, are more challenging to clean because bleach can be corrosive to wood.

Also, mold may grow deeper inside the wood, making it more complicated to clean thoroughly. This is why most mold remediation experts recommend replacing the wood altogether.

Prevention Helps Your Home Remain Mold-Free

It’s important to be aware of the conditions that lead to microbial growth in order to understand how to prevent mold on your window sill.

Take note of the following tips to keep mold away from your window sill and your home:

• Mold thrives in heat, so keep your thermostat at 70° F or lower.
• Improve ventilation around your home. Open your windows from time to time to keep air flowing.
• Limit plants on your window sill as they often carry mold spores.
• Always inspect your roof and gutters to keep water from your windows.
• Fix any drafts and leaks near your windows right away.

Lastly, if you’re faced with a significant mold problem, don’t deal with it on your own. Instead, call for professional mold remediation experts to avoid aggravating the situation.

Keep Your Windows Mold-Free with Restoration 1

Having mold on your windows is often a sign of more significant issues around your home. It’s important to stay vigilant and on top of these issues to avoid more significant problems that put your family at risk.

If you’re dealing with a substantial mold problem on your windows or anywhere in your home, don’t hesitate to call the mold remediation experts. Call Restoration 1 of San Antonio North right away!