Why Mold in Summer Homes Is So Common

May 7, 2025

How K.O.S. Restoration Can Fix Mold Problems

There’s nothing like that first drive out to your Long Island summer home—the breeze, the beaches, and the excitement of the season ahead. But what happens when you unlock the door and notice a musty smell… or worse, visible moldgrowing on walls, ceilings, or wood beams?

Unfortunately, mold in summer homes is all too common, especially after a long winter of vacancy. At K.O.S. Restoration, we get the same panicked calls every May and June: "We just opened the house and found mold everywhere!"

If this sounds familiar, here’s what you need to know—and how our IICRC-certified team can help get your home back to normal fast.

Why Does Mold Grow in Unoccupied Homes?

Mold needs three things to grow: moisture, organic material, and a lack of airflow. And unfortunately, that’s exactly what most summer homes on Long Island provide during the off-season.

Whether your home is in The Hamptons, Montauk, Southold, or The North Fork, here’s why mold might have taken hold:

Closed-up spaces with poor ventilation
Undetected roof or plumbing leaks
Humidity buildup during warm spells
No heat or air circulation during damp months

Even without visible water damage, mold can grow on walls, wood trim, sheetrock, ceilings, and furniture after just a few weeks of unchecked humidity.

The Health Risks of Mold Exposure

Even if the mold isn’t black, it can still affect your health—especially for children, older adults, or anyone with allergies or asthma. Breathing in airborne mold spores can cause:

Sneezing and coughing
Eye, nose, and throat irritation
Headaches and fatigue
Respiratory infections

We understand how upsetting it is to come back to a home you love, only to find it’s not safe to stay in. That’s where we come in.

K.O.S. Restoration offers expert summer home mold remediation services on Long Island.

How K.O.S. Restoration Fixes Mold Problems the Right Way

Our team is IICRC certified in mold remediation—meaning we follow the strictest industry guidelines for safely removing mold and restoring healthy indoor air.

Here’s what to expect when you call K.O.S. Restoration:

Mold inspection & moisture detection:
We find the root cause—because treating the surface isn’t enough.
Containment setup:
We prevent mold spores from spreading during cleanup.
HEPA vacuuming & air filtration:
We remove spores from the air and affected materials.
Enzyme-based antimicrobial cleaning:
Safe, effective treatment of surfaces, beams, and subflooring.
Optional encapsulation:
For exposed wood in attics, crawl spaces, or basements.
Post-remediation testing: (optional)
Peace of mind that your home is clean and safe again.

Serving Long Island Summer Homeowners Since 2006

Whether your summer home is in Sag Harbor, Greenport, Amagansett, or anywhere along the East End, K.O.S. Restoration has you covered. We know how stressful it is to deal with mold—especially when time is tight and guests are coming.

We respond fast, work discreetly, and treat your property with the same care we’d give our own.