Indoor mold is unsightly and causes staining on fabric wooden surfaces. It can also cause health problems and allergy-like symptoms – including sneezing, itchy eyes, and difficulty breathing – and structural damage. Mold can be challenging to spot, especially in hidden areas of your home. Once it starts growing, it spreads and can be tough to eliminate. You can prevent mold growth in your home with a few simple steps.
Tips to Prevent Mold Growth
1. Control Moisture
Mold needs moisture to thrive, so the most important thing you can do to prevent mold growth is to control dampness and humidity in your home. Fix leaks in the roof and plumbing pipes, and use exhaust fans in rooms with high humidity, like your bathroom and kitchen. Verify the fans are vented outside and not just into your attic. Invest in a good dehumidifier for your basement and other damp areas.
2. Increase Ventilation
Proper ventilation is necessary to prevent mold growth in your home. Without good ventilation, moisture accumulates, providing an ideal breeding ground for mold. Open windows in the bathroom and kitchen when showering or cooking, and check that the ventilation fans are working correctly. You might install a ventilation system that exchanges stale indoor air for fresh air from outside.
3. Clean Spills Immediately to Prevent Mold Growth
Spills are unavoidable in any household, but cleaning them up promptly is the key to preventing mold growth. If a spill occurs on your carpet or upholstery, blot the liquid up immediately with a clean, dry cloth. Allowing the moisture to set creates an environment conducive to mold growth. To make it worse, mold spores are challenging to remove from upholstery and carpeting.
4. Maintain Proper Humidity
Mold thrives in high humidity of 60% and up, so it’s essential to maintain proper humidity levels in your home. Use a hygrometer to measure the moisture in the air, and if it’s too high, use an air conditioner or dehumidifier to lower the humidity. Shop for a dehumidifier that detects moisture and powers on and off automatically in response to humidity.
Mold can harm your health and home, so it’s important to take measures to prevent it. You can effectively prevent mold growth in your home by controlling humidity and increasing ventilation. Perform routine checks of areas of your home susceptible to mold, and you’ll have a healthy and mold-free home for you and your family.
Golden Rule Home Inspections offers professional inspection services, including mold testing, for customers in Lee, Collier, and Charlotte Counties. Contact us to schedule an appointment.