Mold is a type of fungus that grows naturally in many areas. The Mold growing in your house can pose a serious health risk to you and your loved ones. People who are prone to breathing problems, should not stay in a house prone to mold attacks as this may harm their health. Mold can easily pollute the air quality in your house. Therefore, impacting negatively on your family’s health. The good news is, preventing mold from invading your house is possible using simple methods that will cost nothing. The key is controlling moisture and humidity in and around the house. Mold is in different types, causing the toxicity and removal to be different as well. Hence, you may require the assistance of mold experts who will have to come in with their expertise to clear it. Here are several ways to prevent mold from growing in your house.
- Identify problem areas and correct them
It is important to do a thorough check of your house every once in a while to rule out any water leakages. Leakages are one of the main reasons mold grows in houses. If you can prevent leaks, you can prevent mold from invading your house. Checking the basement in case it is flooding, the windows for frequent condensation, water stains on the ceiling are prime areas for mold growth. Also, do not forget to check the water pipes. Either in the kitchen, toilets, bathrooms, and all house sinks. An area where moisture content is present, please take note, as mold growth will also be present. In some houses, one might find the mold growth being too severe. Therefore, you will need to contact the mold experts https://awamoldinspections.com/location_states/new-york/ to help you with this and also to help you identify the problem and its occurrence.
- Dry wet areas immediately
Doing a checkup of both outside and inside the house is important. This will ensure there is no stagnant water near your house or spoiled gutters. If you find any of these problems near your house, be sure to fix them immediately. Channel the stagnant water away from your house by ensuring your house is on the higher side of the sloping area. Repairing of the gutters correctly and cleaning them every once in a while will go a long way in helping you keep mold at bay. Consider all these measures to prevent high moisture content around your house, which will help in preventing mold growth. Wet clothing should be aired outside the house or in a place where there is good air circulation. Remember to dry bathroom floors and walls properly after every shower. Drying of carpets, beddings, and mattresses once in a while is very important as this helps in fresh air circulation around the house.
- Control moisture
Proper ventilation means the good circulation of fresh air both in and outside the house. The main focus should be fresh air circulation inside the house. Opening windows when one is cooking, bathing, or doing laundry is one major way of preventing moisture from retaining inside the house. Moving furniture away from walls, opening closet doors, opening doors in adjusting rooms also helps in reducing moisture levels in the house. Did you know that mold growth relies on moisture? So, if there is no moisture content in your house then there will be no mold presence either. When running exhaust fans, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers, remember to check them often to prevent them from increasing moisture levels.
4. Empty drip trays regularly
Empty drip trays found in the refrigerators, window sills, basement floors, ovens, and microwaves. The major issue with these drip trays is that they trap water and moisture in them. Draining of the drip trays and cleaning them occasionally is very important to prevent mold from growing. Once the cleaning is done, it is important to aerate the drip trays out in the sun so that they can dry completely from any residual water left. Draining also helps to prevent spills, water overflows, liquid leaks, which can lead to moisture problems in the dehumidifiers, fridges, basement floors, and near window sills.
5.Equip your home with mold-resistant products
Are you constructing a new house or refurbishing an old one? If it is either of the two, it is important to budget for mold-resistant products to use in your house. Mold-resistant products are like mold inhibitors for paints, mold-resistant drywall, mold-resistant sheetrock, mold-resistant carpets, and mattresses. All these products are valuable in areas prone to wetness such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements, and kitchens. Most homeowners like using the traditional drywall on their houses because it is cheap and readily available in the market. This drywall is highly prone to mold, and it is also difficult to rid of mold. The cost of its removal and replacement is also very expensive. The mold-resistant gypsum board is the best option as it is made in a way that prevents moisture absorption and thus inhibits mold growth.
6. Allow the sun in
Did u know mold has one great companion and that is moist dark areas? Mold thrives best in such areas. Therefore, allowing the sun rays into your house can prevent it from growing. During the daytime, open your windows and curtains to allow fresh air in and natural light too. When its summertime, ensure you change to lighter drape curtains that will allow enough sunlight to pass through. Importantly, this will not be practical during winter days because the same light drape curtains to allow in too much moisture.
In conclusion, it is important to be knowledgeable about the kind of weather your region experiences and how it responds to moisture. This will help you in decision making on how you will be able to prevent mold growth in your house. For this reason, be sensitive over such things as it will go a long way in helping you have a safe and mold-free home.