Mold Growth in Wine Cellars

Most wine cellars are designed with a climate control system in order to provide optimum conditions for storing and aging wines.  Maintaining a climate-controlled environment is crucial to the wine aging process because it promotes consistency in temperature and humidity levels, and it is also vital to preventing mold growth inside a wine storage room.

Molds are fungi that grow both indoors and outdoors.  They spread rapidly in dark, moist, and humid conditions.  Molds generate spores that can be transported by air and water.  Mold growth can cause a great deal of damage to the areas or surfaces it lives upon and they can also be detrimental to one’s health when not addressed quickly.

Mold growth may occur in wine cellars when there are inadequate ventilation and a lack of proper airflow.  One way to avoid mold infestation in dedicated custom wine rooms is to undertake measures to achieve moisture control during the initial construction phase of the wine cellar.

Installing Vapor Barriers to Custom Wine Rooms

Installing vapor barriers is an integral part of the building envelope.  The purpose of vapor barriers is to help prevent moisture from seeping in through the walls of the wine cellar.  The required climate conditions of a wine cellar can bring about moisture migration.  Outfitting wine cellars with these vapor retards can provide the necessary moisture control to arrest condensation build-up.

The walls and ceilings of wine cellars also require proper insulation not only to help maintain optimum conditions but also restrict mold growth.  A well-insulated wine storage room will help eliminate moisture accumulation in the storage space.   The correct way of installing insulation materials is to make sure they lie between the vapor barriers and the interior drywall.

Role of Wine Cellar Cooling Units in Preventing Mold Growth 

Preventing Mold Growth Using Wine Cellar CoolingUnits

The function of wine cellar cooling units is to provide the best possible environment for wines, as well as help control moisture.  These cooling systems are designed to help keep the temperature between 50 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit, and humidity within 50% to 60%.  Keeping the range of temperature and humidity at ideal levels will help wines mature nicely, and at the same time control the rate of moisture.

A wine cellar environment needs to be stabilized because fluctuations in temperature can accelerate the aging process and cause irreversible changes to wines.  Exceedingly high temperatures can be a contributing factor in mold infestation as well.

The amount of humidity should also be regulated in order to achieve the ideal storage conditions.  Erratic humidity levels can negatively impact the storage environment and the overall condition of wines.  Humidity falling below 50% can cause the corks to dry out that can lead to wine spoilage.

If humidity levels go beyond 70%, potential mold problems can occur.  When molds are allowed to form inside a custom wine room Naperville Illinois, they can spread on wine labels and that can affect their resale value.  The presence of molds in the storage space can also cause cork taint in wines.  Cork taint is characterized by a musty smell and unpleasant taste in wines.

Other Causes of Mold Growth 

Another source of mold growth is water intrusion from flooding, a leaky roof, or a faulty plumbing system.  Water damage from these sources can cause molds to grow in hidden areas.  When molds are left on their own for a long period of time, the damage may prove too costly to remedy.

Possible water intrusion problems should be addressed during the construction phase of wine cellars, as this can help curtail the growth of molds and help save money down the line.  The quality of the roofing material and water pipes should be checked beforehand so that replacements can be made in case the materials are found damaged or heavily corroded.

Custom Wine Rooms Naperville Illinois

The key to preventing the spread of molds in wine cellars is to control moisture.  This can only be attained if vapor barriers are installed correctly; the right insulation value is applied to the walls and ceilings, and the proper wine cellar cooling unit is supplied to the storage space.