Winter Moisture, Spring Mold: How Schools and Businesses Can Reduce Risk

As temperatures rise and snow begins to melt across many regions, Clark Seif Clark, Inc. (CSC), a leading provider of building science and indoor environmental quality (IEQ) consulting services, is advising facility managers, administrators, and building owners to proactively address conditions that can trigger springtime mold growth.

During winter, buildings often experience moisture accumulation from roof leaks, frozen pipes, condensation, and limited ventilation. When warmer weather arrives, this trapped moisture, combined with runoff and snowmelt, can accelerate mold growth in schools, offices, retail spaces, healthcare facilities, and other commercial properties.

Spring mold surges are predictable, but with proactive planning and early assessment, they’re also preventable. Some buildings already have undiscovered moisture pockets from winter storms. Once temperatures rise, those conditions can create an ideal breeding ground for mold, which can impact indoor air quality, occupant health, and operational continuity.

Key spring mold risk factors include:

• Roof and building envelope leaks previously concealed by snow or ice.
  
  
• HVAC condensation during seasonal system changeovers.
  
  
• Ineffective drainage, clogged gutters, and poor site grading.
  
  
• Basement and crawlspace moisture from snowmelt infiltration.
  
  
• Humidity spikes as outdoor temperatures climb.
  
  

CSC recommends the following actions as winter ends:

1. Conduct moisture mapping and infrared inspections to locate hidden dampness.
   
   
2. Evaluate HVAC systems for cleanliness, proper drainage, and airflow balance.
   
   
3. Inspect roofs, façades, and windows for winter-related damage.
   
   
4. Sample indoor air and surfaces where mold is suspected.
   
   
5. Address leaks promptly and dry affected materials quickly.
   
   
6. Develop a spring maintenance plan tailored to building vulnerabilities.
   
   

Proactive assessment and maintenance can help schools and commercial properties avoid costly remediation while supporting healthy indoor environments for students, employees, and visitors. CSC can assist in this effort with expert inspections, testing, and guidance to help organizations identify risks early and implement effective, science-based solutions.

For more information on this or other IEQ resources, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com, or call 800-807-1118.

About Clark Seif Clark, Inc. (CSC)
Since 1996, CSC has helped clients in both the public and private sectors address indoor air quality, occupational health, and environmental, health, and safety (EH&S) issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to industrial clients, healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers, and real estate professionals.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail