It is definitely a good idea to learn the basics of how to prevent mold. The very word mold makes a person cringe. The presence of mold in your home can be very, very bad, especially if it grows undetected. Mold is essential to making brie and penicillin, for instance, and necessary to decompose organic matter in the environment.
Here’s why it’s a problem
It is impossible to completely eradicate mold spores since they spread easily.
You can find mold everywhere: on carpet, clothing, food, paper, and even in places that you can’t see, such as the backside of drywall, the areas inside walls around leaking or condensing pipes, and above ceiling tiles.
It is not only difficult and costly to fix mold, but mold can also cause allergens, irritants, and toxins.
In the event that mold begins to grow in your home, what should you do?
Mold can be prevented before it becomes a problem by taking preventative measures. Mold prevention is as simple as controlling moisture.
There are several ways to stop moisture from causing mold to grow indoors.
- Identify and correct your home’s problems
Mold cannot be removed from your home, but it can be made mold-resistant. Audit your home: Which areas are problematic? How often does the basement flood? A window upstairs seems to be condensing frequently, do you notice it? A persistent leak may have left a stain on the ceiling.
The best way to prevent mold from growing or spreading is to remove carpet from a damp basement, install mold-resistant products, or repair damaged gutters. It may also require major excavation and waterproofing. Whatever the case may be, you need to take action now. If mold is allowed to grow unchecked, it will surely be more costly in the long run.
- Make sure wet areas are dried immediately
Wet areas must be cleaned up immediately to prevent mold growth. Whether you have experienced heavy rain, a leaky pipe, or spilled liquid on your carpet, your basement should be completely dried out within 24 to 48 hours. In the event that carpets, bedding, and furniture can’t be completely dried after a flood, remove them. When taking a shower, make sure you dry the walls and floor afterward, and don’t leave wet items lying around. Putting wet clothes in the washing machine can lead to mold growth. It’s a good idea to hang them up to dry – preferably outdoors or in an area with good air circulation.
- It is important to ventilate properly so that moisture does not build up
There is a possibility that your routine domestic activities are encouraging the growth of mold in your house. Make sure your bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, and any other high-moisture areas have proper ventilation to prevent mold growth from simple activities such as cooking dinner, taking a shower, and doing laundry. Ensure moisture-producing appliances (clothes dryers, stoves) are vented outside (not the attic). When living in a humid climate, use AC units and dehumidifiers (especially in humid areas), but make sure they don’t produce moisture themselves by checking them periodically and cleaning them as directed. If you are cooking, washing dishes, or taking a shower in your energy-efficient home, open a window or run an exhaust fan.
- Put Mold-Resistant Products in Your Home
Do you plan to build a new home or renovate an existing one? Make sure that the drywall and Sheetrock you are using are mold-resistant, and that your paints are mold-resistant. Gypsum plaster is typically pressed between layers of paper to form traditional drywall. The surface of mold-resistant drywall is highly water-resistant since it has a fiberglass core covered in gypsum. Bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements, and kitchens are especially prone to moisture, so moisture-resistant drywall is particularly beneficial in those areas. Traditional drywall is not only more susceptible to mold than paperless drywall, but it is also difficult to remove and costly to replace. The core of mold-resistant gypsum board is designed to prevent moisture absorption, which prevents mold growth.
- Make sure the indoor humidity is monitored
A humidity level of 30 to 60% is recommended by the EPA for indoors. You can measure humidity using a moisture meter from a hardware store. Simply paying attention to problem areas in your house will also allow you to detect high humidity. Excessive humidity may manifest itself in the form of condensation on windows, pipes, and walls. When you notice condensation, dry the surface immediately and fix the moisture source (such as turning off a humidifier if water appears on the inside of nearby windows).
- Keep your home dry by directing water away
Water may collect around your home if the ground slopes insufficiently away from the foundation.
- Make sure your roof gutters are clean or repaired
Having a leaking roof caused by clogged or damaged gutters can cause mold problems. Regularly clean and inspect your roof gutters. After storms, check for water stains that may indicate a leak, and repair them as necessary.
- The Best Way to Improve Your Home’s Air Flow
Air holds less moisture as temperatures drop, according to the EPA. Excess moisture in your home may accumulate on walls, windows, and floors if you don’t have good airflow. Increase circulation by opening doors between rooms, moving furniture away from walls, and opening closet doors. Keeping your home dry and mold-free requires fresh air.
- Mold-killing products are important to invest in
In order to prevent mold growth in bathrooms, the CDC recommends using mold-killing products. The following natural ingredients can be used to kill mold at home: vinegar, tea tree oil, citrus seed extract, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda.
- Keeping household plants free of mold
Beautiful and helpful, they also keep the air in your home clean. Mold adores them. A moist indoor plant’s soil is a perfect breeding ground for mold, which can then spread throughout your home. Replace the water you give your houseplants with Taheebo tea instead. Plant soil can be hindered from growing mold by the oil of this tree, which withstands fungi in rainforests.
When it comes to mold prevention, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. A good place to start is to understand what works for your climate and your home. Contact us today to learn more prevention tips and if you suspect you have a mold problem, we are here to help.
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