The thought of mold in your home is unnerving. Not only is this substance unsightly and damaging to property, but it also has an impact on your family’s health. Even though mold is naturally occurring, you don’t want it in your living spaces. Here are a few ways to prevent mold at home.
How to Prevent Mold in Your Home
Mold thrives in warm, humid environments. That’s why you often see it in bathrooms and basements. However, it can grow anywhere in the home if the conditions are right. To reduce the chances of mold in your home, follow the tips below.
Locate the Problem Areas
There’s no way to completely avoid mold, but there are easy ways to reduce the chance of mold growing and spreading. The first step is to locate areas in your home where mold can thrive. Look for warm, moist environments and keep an eye on any signs of mold growth in these spaces. Your bathrooms offer ideal conditions, as does your basement, crawlspace, and attic.
Keep Your House Dry to Prevent Mold in the Home
When you have identified the areas where mold might thrive, take steps to keep these places dry. For bathrooms, run your ventilation fan for at least 15 minutes after you get out of the shower to get rid of excess moisture. Wipe up any standing pools of water in the bathroom.
Make sure to check the basement, attic, and crawlspace regularly for leaks. If you find a dripping pipe or roof leak, make repairs right away. The longer that water seeps into an area, the greater the risk of mold growth. In addition, water can cause structural damage to your home.
Clean your gutters at least twice a year. If gutters get clogged and the water has nowhere to go, it could leak into your attic. If downspouts don’t properly direct water away from your house, water could seep into your basement and create conditions conducive to mold growth.
When spills occur in your home, clean them as soon as possible to prevent damp conditions and mold.
Control the Humidity Levels
Moisture and humidity contribute to mold growth. High humidity simply means there is excess moisture in the air. Certain spaces without good ventilation, like basements, bathrooms, and attics, are more susceptible to increased humidity levels and mold growth.
To keep humidity levels under control, use a dehumidifier in these areas. It is recommended that the level in your home be around 50%. If you use a dehumidifier with a programmable humidistat, its sensor will detect the humidity levels and turn on as needed for automatic moisture control.
AAA Professional Home Inspectors provides home inspection services in Kentucky and Indiana. We offer mold testing and air quality sampling so you know that your home is safe. Contact us to request an appointment.