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Of all the factors that contribute to mold growth in residential and commercial buildings, relative humidity is one of the most important — and one of the least understood by homeowners.

Most people associate mold with visible water damage. A roof leak. A burst pipe. Flooding. And while those events absolutely create conditions for mold growth, they account for a fraction of the mold problems that actually develop in homes.

The majority of mold problems in residential buildings develop gradually — driven by elevated humidity that allows building materials to remain damp long enough for mold to colonize. No visible leak. No dramatic water event. ...