Mold Prevention Tips
Mold Prevention Tips
Once mold begins to grow, it can be almost impossible to get rid of. It can grow a lot of different places like on carpet, on clothing, food or paper. It can also grow in some places that are hidden from view; like behind drywall, around leaking pipes or above ceiling tiles. If not detected soon enough it can be very difficult to fix and it will take professionals to get rid of it. Carpet cleaning where mold is involved can be tricky as if improper methods are used it can make the matter worse. Not only is the growth of mold costly to clean up, it can also produce various allergens or irritants that can be dangerous to one’s health. The best thing to do is to prevent mold growth altogether. There are several ways to prevent the growth in your home.
Monitor Humidity Levels
The EPA has recommended that the humidity inside the home be kept between 30 and 60 percent. When the humidity is higher than 60 percent, it can encourage mold growth by providing an environment that is conducive to its growth. The best case scenario is to buy a moisture meter but it is not necessary to make this purchase if you simply pay attention to potential problems. When there is condensation on the inside of windows, pipes or walls, the humidity is high. If condensation is spotted in these areas, wipe the surface dry immediately and find the source of excessive moisture. For instance, simply turning off the humidifier can reduce humidity in the room.
Find and Fix Problem Areas
Do an informal audit of your home. Check the basement for flooding, and upstairs windows for condensation. Look for water stains on ceilings which may indicate ongoing problems with leaks. When these problems are found and addressed, they can help prevent more serious problems later on. You may need to pull up the carpet from the basement; maybe you just need to repair damaged gutters to prevent further leaking. Whatever it takes to stop leaks from occurring it will be worth it to prevent mold from growing and causing irreversible problems or health concerns for the family.
Proper Ventilation is a Must
It is very possible that daily activities can help encourage mold growth in your house. Rooms like the bathroom or laundry room can produce excessive moisture that can cause unwanted mold and mildew. In order to prevent the growth of mold in these areas, install proper ventilation. It is important that the vent be connected to the outdoors and not an attic or other area that can hold moisture. A bathroom remodeling project can include installing a vent to the outside; laundry rooms and kitchens were moisture tends to collect should also be properly ventilated. In areas that are extremely humid it may be wise to invest in a dehumidifier to help prevent the collection of moisture inside the house and inhibit the growth of mold.
Using Mold Resistant Products
There are many different home improvement products that are designed to be resistant to the growth of mold and mildew. In high moisture areas such as bathrooms, homeowners can use paints that are mold resistant. Dry wall used to be composed of gypsum covered with thick paper products. Today homeowners can purchase paperless drywall which has the gypsum covered by fiberglass instead of paper. Fiberglass is water resistant therefore it is not likely to allow for the growth of mold. Moisture resistant drywall and paints with mold inhibitors should be used in areas which are susceptible to lots of moisture. This can help prevent retaining water in these areas and therefore inhibit the growth of mold.
Monitor Humidity Levels
The EPA has recommended that the humidity inside the home be kept between 30 and 60 percent. When the humidity is higher than 60 percent, it can encourage mold growth by providing an environment that is conducive to its growth. The best case scenario is to buy a moisture meter but it is not necessary to make this purchase if you simply pay attention to potential problems. When there is condensation on the inside of windows, pipes or walls, the humidity is high. If condensation is spotted in these areas, wipe the surface dry immediately and find the source of excessive moisture. For instance, simply turning off the humidifier can reduce humidity in the room.
Find and Fix Problem Areas
Do an informal audit of your home. Check the basement for flooding, and upstairs windows for condensation. Look for water stains on ceilings which may indicate ongoing problems with leaks. When these problems are found and addressed, they can help prevent more serious problems later on. You may need to pull up the carpet from the basement; maybe you just need to repair damaged gutters to prevent further leaking. Whatever it takes to stop leaks from occurring it will be worth it to prevent mold from growing and causing irreversible problems or health concerns for the family.
Proper Ventilation is a Must
It is very possible that daily activities can help encourage mold growth in your house. Rooms like the bathroom or laundry room can produce excessive moisture that can cause unwanted mold and mildew. In order to prevent the growth of mold in these areas, install proper ventilation. It is important that the vent be connected to the outdoors and not an attic or other area that can hold moisture. A bathroom remodeling project can include installing a vent to the outside; laundry rooms and kitchens were moisture tends to collect should also be properly ventilated. In areas that are extremely humid it may be wise to invest in a dehumidifier to help prevent the collection of moisture inside the house and inhibit the growth of mold.
Using Mold Resistant Products
There are many different home improvement products that are designed to be resistant to the growth of mold and mildew. In high moisture areas such as bathrooms, homeowners can use paints that are mold resistant. Dry wall used to be composed of gypsum covered with thick paper products. Today homeowners can purchase paperless drywall which has the gypsum covered by fiberglass instead of paper. Fiberglass is water resistant therefore it is not likely to allow for the growth of mold. Moisture resistant drywall and paints with mold inhibitors should be used in areas which are susceptible to lots of moisture. This can help prevent retaining water in these areas and therefore inhibit the growth of mold.