12 Ways to Avoid Mold Growth in Your Home

After winter, we can find out homes feeling moldy and musty with all the rain, if we encountered much rain. This can cause a lot of problems to the indoor air quality of our homes. Mold remediation is a necessity as soon as any kind of mold inspection discovers where it is. You never want to let mold fester because it never goes away on it’s own. Even if the home is dry from then on out, mold will still grow and multiply quickly throughout the home causing major problems for the residence living there. There are many companies that specialize in mold remediation and will preform indoor air quality testing to make sure that you do not have any mold even in places that you cannot see. Just having a clean house just not mean that no mold will find it’s way inside. Mold only requires warmth, moisture and food; all of which can be found in a home, no matter how clean the home is. However, there are some things you can do to ensure mold remediation. Here are a few ways that you can prevent mold from growing.

1. If you have had any mold in your home, clean it with a mold killer (preferably through a professional) and remove any excess moisture that encouraged the growth. If you choose not to contact a professional to clean the mold, at least get professional advice regarding the best way to get rid of it, thoroughly.
2. Regularly vacuum and clean. Make sure that after showers and dish washing that the floors and walls are dried thoroughly. This includes corners and hard to reach places, which are often forgotten about. Mold likes darkness as well, although it is not a requirement for growth so make sure to dry out places that the light doesn’t reach very well.
3. Area rugs that can be washed regularly and floor material that can mopped and dried often is better for avoiding mold than wall to wall carpeting.
4. Things like paper, clothes, books and other potential ‘food’ for mold should not be stored in humid areas of the home, like near bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms or basements.
5. Pay close attention to your roofs and windows and make sure than any leaks that appear are fixed immediately.
6. Refrigerator drip pans are breeding grounds for mold. Make sure that these are cleaned regularly. Seals should also be always checked because if your fridge or freezer doesn’t seal properly, mold can actually grow inside.
7. Gutters and spouts outside should be kept clean and clear so that no flow of water from the roof is blocked. Ensure that the drains and house is set up so that the off pour from the drains flows away from the foundation of your home.
8. Plants and grass should not grow near the house because watering them could cause water to flow towards your home. Make sure sprinklers do not wet your home or the foundations of your home when watering the grass.
9. Exhaust fans are imperative in bathrooms and kitchens. Leaving a window open is also helpful to reduce moisture, as long as it is not raining outside.
10. Clothes dryers emit a lot of moisture as well so make sure they if you have one, it is well vented to the outdoors and not coming into the house.
11. While humidifiers are good for our throats and sleeping, they do let of a lot of moisture that can create condensation so if you must use one, try to make sure that it does not make an excessive amount of humidity. In the summer, 60% or lower is fine and in the winter, 40% or lower is sufficient.
12. If you have a basement, think about investing in a dehumidifier in order to cool the basement floor and walls. Attics should be well ventilated.

If you need mold testing done in your own, there are good companies that will have a vested interest in mold remediation. Trying to get rid of mold once it starts can be a nightmare so take these steps in avoiding having mold build up to begin with. However, if it does somehow creep in, contact a professional who can help guide you in the right direction.