When many people think about needing water damage restoration, their minds immediately go to the basement of the home. Unfortunately, the threat of water damage extends beyond the basement into the other levels of your home. If your windows aren't in the best condition or the seals have failed around them, water damage can begin to develop around the windows, into the walls, and into the flooring. Here, you'll learn a little about mold growth around your windows and what you can do to stop it for good.

What's causing the damage?

There are several elements that can contribute to water damage around windows. It may be coming from the roof above, the frame could be leaking or window condensation can be dripping into the walls around the windows.

Head up to the attic to inspect the roofing from the underside. Examine the area above the window looking for dark colored wood. If you notice the watermarks on the wood above the window, chances are, the problem is being caused by a roofing leak.

If that's not the problem, your problem is caused by either condensation or a leaky window. Think about how often the windows become covered in condensation. If you notice it more than a few times a month, condensation is likely the cause. If you don't see condensation ever, the window is likely the cause.

How do you stop the moisture?

Now that you have a good idea about what is causing the damage, you can get to work stopping it. To do this, you must decrease the interior humidity levels in your home.

Invest in a good dehumidifier. Run the machine through the summer months to reduce the amount of moisture in the air. Keep the air moving. Use your ceiling fans or box fans to keep the air in the room moving. If the air is moving, the moisture in it won't settle on the windows as badly.

Don't overdo the air conditioning during the summer. If the temperature inside of your home is too much cooler than the exterior temperature, condensation will begin to form on the windows. The same goes for winter – don't keep your home too warm in comparison to outside.

Reduce your houseplant collection. Houseplants are very beneficial, but if humidity in the home is an issue, they could be contributing to the problem. Plants release moisture into the air, so the more you have, the more moisture there will be in your home.

Talk with your local water damage repair experts to gain assistance in repairing the damage and putting a stop to future issues.