You’ve probably seen mold a few times throughout your life. Maybe you left old bread in your home while you went on a vacation, and when you came back, the bread had green fungus all over it. This is to be expected of old food, but did you know that mold can develop in cars too? Just like leftover food, neglected cars are likely to become the perfect breeding ground for mold. If it’s humid and damp out the way that it is many times in the spring here in Florida, any car that’s been parked for many months without being put to use or without getting aired has a chance of growing mold. Although this isn’t a common problem among vehicles, it is still a problem that needs to be addressed. In order to prevent a car glass repair, cleaning mold and eliminating it for the long run is wise. Here’s what you need to know about windshield mold, what causes it, and how to avert it:
What is Mold? There are many types of mold, but all of them are generally the same. Mold is an organism that breeds quickly and decays whatever it can. For instance, once mold finds its way on, say, food, it’ll eat it in a matter of days. Mostly, mold causes organic materials to biodegrade. That’s why damp, undried areas, like car seats and carpets, are ideal candidates for this organism. You can even see mold growing on big garbage disposals where tons of leftover food and soggy trash are stored for days on end. Yikes!
Don’t get the wrong idea; mold isn’t completely bad. At this very moment, mold spores are in the very air we breathe. In fact, mold, being a part of nature, is oftentimes used for the production of some types of healthy foods (such as Brie cheese), medicine, and antibiotics. Nevertheless, too much of anything is never good, and that is certainly true when it comes to mold. More mold than is typically in the air can cause allergic reactions if breathed for a while. Additionally, it can destroy (or eat) objects through biodegradation. That is why, when it materializes in your vehicle, you should never let it remain. It could ruin various materials within the car including the glass, causing you to get a car glass repair.
What Causes my Windshield to Get Mold? Since mold isn’t highly common in cars, people are surprised when they do find it in their vehicles. “Where did it come from?” they wonder. There are many reasons for the mold growth in your car. For one, if you left your car parked outdoors for months, particularly in a humid or moist environment, then that could cause mold to breed. Second, if you spilled water in the car and didn’t let the damp surface dry completely, then that’s another reason for the mold. Though, the scary part of all of this is that if this problem isn’t dealt with fast enough, the mold will spread throughout your car, going far into the glass and leading you to get a car glass repair.
Is Windshield Mold Dangerous? Windshield mold is very dangerous. As we’ve established earlier, too much mold can cause many health issues. However, when it comes to your car, having mold indicates that there are an extreme amount of dirt and other untreated problems, and that’s not something you want to be sitting and breathing in. Though, the most threatening aspect of mold increasing and feasting on your windshield is the fact that it could be eating at the window seals. Over time (a very short time, since mold grows and eats fast), your car glass might even break from the damage to its window seals. Driving would become highly unsafe for you at that point.
Preventing Windshield Mold If your car has mold, don’t feel hopeless; there are ways to combat mold and deter a glass repair. First, you should always keep your car clean. Never leave trash, especially the sort that decomposes naturally (like food). If you spill a drink inside the car, wash it and let the damp area air-dry. Keep the windows down until the spill is gone. On the other hand, if you don’t drive your car any more (maybe you’re planning on selling it), then turn the AC on from time to time and roll the windows down. Letting the air move and refresh is important. Though, if you notice that the window seals are cracking or that there is mold on them, stop driving your car and don’t attempt to clean the mold on your own. Instead, call a mobile windshield repair expert and have them replace that windshield with another one and clean the panel from the mold.
It’s not typical to see windshield mold, but when it does occur, it’s really crucial that you clean it up and make sure it isn’t affecting the condition of your vehicle. Doing so will help you prevent a car glass repair.