Mold Prevention and Removal: Tips for homeowners on avoiding mold growth and the importance of professional removal
Mold is one of the worst four-letter words for both homeowners and the health of their families. Although mold is an organic substance found naturally in nature and is beneficial to the ecosystem as a whole, when it grows in living spaces and enclosed environments, it poses a health hazard. Once more, if you let mold grow in your home unaddressed, over time, it can lead to structural damage and the need for professional mold removal to ensure you and your home’s safety. The good news is that mold needs the right conditions to grow and multiply, and those conditions can be controlled. These are ten tips to keep your home mold-free. They can also minimize the risk of needing a professional mold removal company’s help.
1. Control Indoor Humidity
Indoor spaces need a certain level of humidity for both health reasons and comfort. Ideally, homeowners should ensure that the humidity level throughout their homes sits between 30 and 50%. In some climates and seasons, using a dehumidifier or air conditioner will keep damper climates within range all throughout the year. This is one of the best mold prevention tips.
2. Fix Leaks Promptly
If you notice a leak, don’t ignore it. It will only get worse. Not only will a water leak lead to higher water bills, but it’s also bad for the environment. More importantly, when you ignore a roof leak, plumbing problems, or window seepage, you are supplying mold spores with what they need to grow and become a problem. If you notice any seepage around your home, fix the source. When it comes to mold, moisture can be your greatest concern, so attend to water issues immediately, or a small problem can quickly become a major and expensive one.
3. Vent Moisture-Producing Areas
Mold spores are just that, spores, and they naturally occur everywhere in our ecosystem. All they need is moisture to grow. Pay special attention to bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. They should all be vented outdoors, not into attics or your crawl space. In those hidden spots, mold growth is not only common; it is hard to get on top of.
4. Improve Airflow
Keep your floor plan as flowing as possible by opening doors in between rooms. Also, move your furniture away from the walls to create space. Lastly, use ceiling and floor fans where necessary to increase air flow and prevent damp and stagnant air from becoming a problem.
5. Dry Wet Areas Immediately
If you spill something, clean it up immediately. Always fully dry any water or liquid spills, especially on things like carpets or area rugs. If something becomes wet, dry it fully within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold spores from growing and multiplying. If you saturate carpeting completely, you will want to pull it up to dry it all the way through rather than taking a chance of leaving it against the base floor or subfloor, where moisture can cause mold growth.
6. Clean Gutters and Direct Water Away From Your Home
Although we often talk of water accumulation and moisture growth from indoor culprits, homeowners need to be aware of how exterior mold growth can hurt outdoor materials, lead to pest problems, and destroy the structural integrity of your home. Make sure that your gutters are cleaned regularly and are performing properly to move water away from your home. Also, add downspouts to help guide water away from your foundation. That will help to lessen the risk of water erosion, which can lead to serious problems. Guiding runoff a minimum of three to six feet from the foundation is the best rule of thumb to prevent structural and foundation cracks, as well as mold growth.
7. Use Mold-Resistant Materials and Products
When remodeling or building your home, it is always best to use the latest advances in building materials. Choose products like mold-resistant drywall, paint, and insulation, especially in mold-prone areas. Just like many things in life, prevention is always better and less expensive than repairs after the fact.
8. Avoid Carpeting in Certain Prone Areas
It is best to avoid carpeting in areas that are prone to water and damp conditions. Other materials such as vinyl, tile, and sealed concrete work best in basements, bathrooms, and entryways where moisture is most commonly found.
9. Maintain Your HVAC System
Mold spores not only grow; when they get into your HVAC system, they become airborne, which can present a health problem to you and your family. Airborne mold can lead to allergies, respiratory problems, and exacerbate asthma. The best way to remove mold is to stop its growth, but you can also prevent it from circulating by cleaning your HVAC system and changing your air filters every 30 days.
10. Monitoring Prone Areas
As a homeowner, it is never a good idea to believe that ignorance is bliss. Regularly check those areas prone to moisture, water, and flooding. Basements, crawlspaces, under sinks, around windows, and behind appliances are often hidden spots where mold can grow unnoticed. Being vigilant can protect both your home and the equity you’ve built in it.
If You Notice Mold, Call a Professional
As tempting as it might be to kill surface mold and call it a day, often what you see on the surface is only the start of what is lurking underneath. Mold removal and remediation are never a good “do-it-yourself” project. If you see mold, have it evaluated. Sometimes it might be nothing more than a quick and painless solution, but if you don’t care for it immediately or investigate, you could be fostering a very expensive and potentially dangerous situation.
Prevention is always the best way to solve a problem such as mold. If, however, you didn’t catch mold growth in time, notice it until it has grown out of control, or have water flooding, waiting for it to dry is never a good decision. It is always best to call a mold removal company and ensure that you are properly caring for mold before it takes care of you, your wallet, and your family’s health.
