Mold Prevention Tips For the Home

Mold is a fungus that not only looks gross, but it can also destroy the property of your home. Unfortunately, once homeowners discover mold in their home, chances are that extra care will be needed in the future in order to prevent this nasty fungus from making a comeback. The best way to avoid this situation completely is by being proactive with prevention efforts!

Here are some easy tips that you can follow in order to prevent mold growth on your property:

Mold Prevention Tips For the Home

Humidity Control

Mold is a living organism that thrives in high humidity areas of the home. The most common sources of humidity in the home are moisture and leakage that is caused from within. This could be an appliance issue or even plumbing mishaps. Also, moisture issues can stem from cracks and crevices in the home. It is important to make sure that you monitor the humidity levels in your house frequently. 55% and up is the level of humidity that should never be reached, as it is the ideal zone for mold growth.

General Cleaning

This is one of those things that doesn’t need to be repeated, but it’s worth it to reiterate. You should clean your home on a regular basis. Once you think you’re done – do some more! A spotless and clean environment is the best defense against mold growth. While it’s easy to only clean the visible surfaces, you should be cleaning the hard to reach areas as well. This includes: on the ceiling, windowsills, behind furniture, under curtains and drapes, and in basements and crawlspaces.  Wherever you think dust makes a home; that is the area you need to target and make spotless!

Mold Habitat

Don’t let your home become a breeding ground for mold. Mold loves to make a home in carpeting and other fixed installations such as floorboards and drywall. If a specific area of your home is more susceptible to moisture than others, then it would be the best option to avoid wall-to-wall carpeting. Instead, think of using rugs that can be pulled up and washed on an as-need basis. This includes areas such as bathrooms, basements, or the kitchen.

Hoarding Old Items

If you enjoy collecting old newspaper and books, or you pile linens up for days before washing them (especially when they are already damp or wet), you can easily invite mold into your home. It would be in the best interest of the homeowner to avoid waiting for spring to get rid of any extra clutter. This should be done as a part of your normal house cleaning effort. The longer that dirty items lay undisturbed in the home, the greater the likelihood of mold in the home is.

Fix Leaks

If you notice a leaking pipe or even a leaking bathroom sink, you should fix it immediately. The longer that leaks go unnoticed, the greater chance there will be for mold. It only takes about 48 hours following water damage for mold to begin growing sporadically throughout the home. In most cases, it is less costly to fix a leak or minor water intrusion than it is to remediate the mold caused by these leaks.

Fresh Air

Whenever it’s possible, you should open your windows and doors to let the sun and fresh air into the house. The crisp outside air will help kill the indoor moisture; while the open windows will help the indoor moisture go back to where it belongs – outside! One thing that many homeowners forget is that exhaust fans are meant to serve as a gateway for moisture and humidity to leave the house. Don’t hesitate to use them, as they speed up the exit of indoor moisture from your home, and the ventilation helps reduce the moisture altogether.

Mold Prevention Tips For the Home
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