What you need to know about mold and windows

(StatePoint) What's growing on your windows? If you have wood windows, or even dirty window sills, the answer could be mold.

When materials in the home, such as wood window frames or wood window sills, come in contact with moisture for an extended period of time, mold can grow, says John Stark, marketing manager for Simonton Windows. The key is the presence of an organic food source.

And mold growth can be hazardous to your health, causing respiratory problems and allergic reactions. So how do you reduce your homes risk for mold?

You may see your windows sweat during the winter or summer months because of varying humidity levels inside the home. Without proper ventilation, moisture can accumulate on windows and walls from daily household activities such as hot showers, boiling water and opening dishwashers after a cleaning cycle. Use ventilation fans and dehumidifiers to minimize condensation and help reduce humidity in the home.

If your windows have major air leaks, dont close properly or are failing to act as a solid barrier to the environment, then its time to replace them. Opt for vinyl window frames which wont provide an organic food source for mold.

Keep window frame surfaces clean. Even if tiny particles of organic debris are found on or around the surfaces of a vinyl window in a moisture-rich area, you could potentially find mold growth. What makes up this debris? It can be anything from fragments of pollen to animal dander to insect pieces to normal household dust.

Reduce the chance of condensation in your home. Use ceiling fans, particularly in the kitchen and bathroom to increase ventilation. Leave interior room and closet doors open. Consider reducing the number of house plants in your home.

If your blinds or window coverings are closed all the time, condensation can get trapped in between the window treatments and the windows, creating a damp environment that may encourage mold growth. Routinely open window coverings to increase ventilation near windows. Additionally, ensure air vent deflectors are placed on floor vents to reroute air into the room rather than straight up against a window.

While installing vinyl windows in the home is a smart start, homeowners also have to do their part -- keep the home well ventilated and clean during all seasons to reduce mold.

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What you need to know about mold and windows