Eight Simple Steps to Keep A Mold-Free Home

Mold is a huge problem in homes across the country. It can cause health problems, and in some cases, it can even be deadly. It is costly to fix and can destroy the value of your home.

That’s why it’s essential to prevent mold from growing in your home.

Why Is Mold A Problem?

Mold is a problem because it can grow anywhere. Spores spread quickly and can attach to walls, ceilings, floors, and other surfaces. Once mold starts growing, it can release toxins into the air. These toxins can cause a variety of health problems, including:

• Asthma
• Allergies
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Itchy eyes
• Runny nose

Mold can be very costly to remediate, and it can cause irreparable damage to your home. Here are several ways to prevent mold.

1. Investigate Your Home for Mold-Prone Areas
2. Keep All Areas of the Home Dry
3. Maintain Proper Ventilation in the Home
4. Use Mold-Fighting Products
5. Monitor and Maintain Proper Humidity in Your Home
6. Keep Water Away from Your Home
7. Improve Your Home’s Air Flow
8. Watch for Mold in Household Plants

Keep reading for more on these mold fighting tips…

Steps to Follow to Fight Mold in Your Home

Investigate Your Home for Mold-Prone Areas

The first step to preventing mold is identifying problem areas in your home. These are places where mold is likely to grow. Look for:

• Leaky pipes
• Damp walls
• Water stains
• Condensation

Mold loves damp, dark, and humid places. If you find any of these problem areas, take steps to fix the issue. Other hints are condensation on specific windows, flooding or leaky basements, or water stains on ceilings.

It may be simple to fix the problem or cost you upfront, but it is essential to address the problem when you notice it. It will be more expensive in the future if the mold starts growing.

Keep All Areas of the Home Dry

The second step is to keep all areas of the home dry. This includes:

• Bathrooms
• Basements
• Laundry rooms
• Kitchens

…and anywhere else that has a potential for water to get in and cause problems. Use a dehumidifier in these areas and keep an eye on any potential problem areas.

If you see a leak, fix it right away. Don’t wait until the problem gets worse.

Maintain Proper Ventilation in the Home

Another critical step is to maintain proper ventilation in the home. This means opening windows and doors to let fresh air in and keeping the humidity levels low.

You can do this by using exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom and running a dehumidifier in damp areas. Don’t forget to change your furnace filter regularly, as well.

Use Mold-Fighting Products

There are a variety of mold-fighting products on the market. These can prevent mold from growing or clean up minor mold problems. Some products you may want to consider include:

• Mold removal sprays
• Mold resistant paint
• Mold resistant caulk

These products can be found at most hardware stores.

Monitor and Maintain Proper Humidity in Your Home

It is vital to monitor the humidity in your home. You can do this with a hygrometer, which is a device that measures humidity. The ideal range is 30-50%.

If the levels get too high, take steps to lower them. This may mean running a dehumidifier or opening windows and doors to let fresh air in.

Keep Water Away from Your Home

It’s simple. Full and/or damaged gutters can cause leaks in your home’s roof. This causes mold to grow. Keep your gutters clean and in good repair, and make sure they direct water away from your home.

Improve Your Home’s Air Flow

When the temperature drops, the air is less able to hold moisture. When the air in your home isn’t good, excess moisture can collect on your windows, walls, and floors.

Increase the circulation in your home by opening interior doors between rooms, moving furniture away from walls, and using fresh air to reduce the moisture in your home.

Watch for Mold in Household Plants

While houseplants help improve the air quality of your home, mold loves to grow on them. A plant’s moist soil helps mold grow, and it can spread to other areas of the house.

Try adding a little Taheebo tea oil, such as Pau d’Arco, to the water to hinder mold growth. While this oil is mainly used as an herbal supplement or tea, it can be used to keep your plants mold-free as well.

Make sure you read the instructions so that you use the right amount. You can find this product at many natural health stores.

While mold is a serious problem, it is something that you can prevent. By taking these steps, you can keep your home safe and clean. If you find mold in your home, act immediately to remedy the situation.

You can prevent mold from growing in your home by following these steps. By taking preventive measures, you can keep your home mold-free.

Are you struggling with mold, or do you have leaks that could encourage mold growth? We can help! Contact us today and let us help you become mold-free!