Home

Top 10 Ways To Keep Mold Out Of Your Home

Education
250 Comments

Besides termites, mold is the second worst issues a homeowner will be confronted with. While easy to deal with when the damaging spores are present in small amounts, ignoring mold can quickly escalate and endanger your health. In fact, certain types of mold are extremely dangerous, since once the spores are inhaled, they take the quickest route to the lungs and can prove lethal to people with allergies as well as little children.

Perhaps the scariest thing about mold formations is the fact that the spores can get in your home even via very small gaps and start growing on clothes, shoes, toys and sometimes even on pets. Therefore, if you noticed a mold formation in your home, take action immediately and eliminate them using the keeping the following tips in mind.

 

1. Maintain your home clutter free

home clutter free

Organizing your stuff and keeping your personal effects in order does not only have an aesthetic value, but it also represents a good way to ensure an optimal air circulation in your home. For optimal airflow indoors, it is highly advisable that you arrange your furniture and drapes in a manner that does not block supply grilles and the HVAC system: if these air paths are blocked, then you will have condensation issues. As you probably know, moisture constitutes the perfect environment for mold and mildew growths.

 

2. Keep control over the indoor climate

indoor climate

According to numerous homeowners, the time of the year when you are most likely to deal with mold growths are hot summers, particularly because you constantly need to adjust and play around with the air conditioning unit. It is necessary to mention that this is a serious problem for homeowners who don’t own a thermostat and change the indoor temperature according to the time of the day. Because setting the temperature too highly mean improper dehumidification, while setting it too low causes condensation, the best approach is to get a thermostat and set the temperature indoors for 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

3. When the AC is on, the doors and windows should be closed

AC is on

If you are keeping your doors and windows opened while the AC unit is on, then you are not only wasting money for nothing, but you also risk creating condensation and damp areas where mold thrives. Therefore, you have to decide on whether you can get comfortable by creating a venting tunnel in your home using the doors and windows or keep everything shut and turn the AC unit on.

 

4. Purchase a dehumidifier

dehumidifier

In the eventuality that you live in a geographical area with hot, humid summers and warm, gentle winters, then it is imperious to purchase a dehumidifier to prevent mold growth in your home. In general, for this type of areas, the best approach is to opt for a whole house dehumidifier since you cannot be 100% certain about the areas where condensation forms. However, if you only deal with bouts of water occasionally in certain parts of the house, then a portable unit would work just as well.

 

5. The ventilation system

ventilation system

If you have had issues with mold and mildew growths in the past, then that represents a clear sign that you need a ventilation system. It is important to note that a good ventilation system is one able to transport the air outdoors and not to the attic of your home. In addition, you should analyze your ventilation solution on a regular basis, especially in the rooms exposed to moisture (bathroom and kitchen) to make sure that the device is working properly.

 

6. Check for standing water

standing water

In case you are using the AC unit correctly and still have problems with high humidity inside your home, then it is very likely that it is due to standing water pools caused by certain various appliances. Consequentially, you should inspect all equipment prone to create water or dampness (freezers, boilers, sump pump, water tanks, basement windows and doors, etc) in the house and see if they are working properly.

 

7. Choose mold-resistant construction materials

mold-resistant construction materials

If you are currently building a new home or remodeling the interiors, then make sure to select building materials with mold resistant properties. While the mold spores are usually versatile and can appear on various surfaces, you can still prevent them by choosing nonporous materials. In addition, stay clear of drywalls with paper facets and invest in quality fiberglass materials on which mold is unable to feed.

 

8. Consider heating your basement

heating your basement

In spite of the fact that you are not even using your basement, it is still a good idea to heat it properly and maintain a temperature of at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit in there, if you simply cannot heat it to the same temperature as your home. The difference in temperature between your home and the basement is a surefire way to create condensation on the walls, ceiling and floors of the basement and the consequential mold growths.

 

9. Be careful where you place the carpets

carpets

Since they can gather dust, debris and moisture, the carpets in your home are the most exposed fabrics on which mold can easily find its way and starts to develop. Well, the higher the temperature difference between two areas with carpet flooring, the more chances that the rugs will start developing mold. While the basement is the room that fits best in the aforementioned description, sometimes mold can also develop in areas such as the hallway, a room with two or more exposed walls or one where you always keep the windows open.

 

10. Insulate the ducts and pipes

Insulate pipes

In case you have a duct system that goes around your entire home to keep the temperature indoors optimal, then it is mandatory that you insulate them in order to prevent mold growths. Essentially, if the cooling or heating pipes go through rooms with poor heating/cooling, that will facilitate the formation of condensation inside the ducts. When moisture and dust come together, they create an ideal setting for mold, which will have access to the entire space of your home via the ductwork system.

About The Author

250 Responses

  1. Chris - Mold Removal

    Planning and installing certain things will absolutely help with stop mold problems but maintaining and checking will keep mold out. Check your attics and crawl spaces annually or more. Basements and attached garages always are easy targets for mold since they are so close to the outside.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.