Ways to prevent mold growth

5/4/2018 (Permalink)

Having moisture levels in check helps prevent mold growth.

Mold is everywhere.  Mold is on the trees, bushes, and plants outside.  Mold spores use air currents to travel, so each time you open a door or window, mold spores are entering your home.

How can I prevent mold from growing in my home?  Mold primarily needs two things to grow: a food source and moisture.  Since you cannot eliminate every food source for mold to grow (drywall, paper, wood, cardboard, etc), you can work on keeping moisture in check.

Here are just a few ways you can curb moisture indoors:

1. Check problem areas inside the home and correct them. Go through your house and identify the problem areas.  Does the basement have seepage issues?  Is there frequent condensation on upstairs windows? Are there water stains on the ceiling, and is the area getting larger? Fixing these issues may cost money upfront, but it can be far less than having mold grow unchecked in your home.
2. Immediately dry wet areas. Having even small water damages or issues can lead to mold if not dried quickly.  “Leaving it to dry on its own” is never a good strategy.  Whether it’s drying the basement after a storm, mopping up a spill on the carpet, or drying wet clothes from the wash machine are ways to help eliminate excess moisture.
3. Ensure your home has proper ventilation. Throw open the windows when the weather is nice outside.  Use the vents/fans when cooking, taking a shower, or doing laundry.  The more moisture that gets vented outside means there is less inside for mold to utilize to grow.
4. Monitor indoor humidity. During the winter months, air that is heated dries out.  That is why some people use humidifiers.  But, if condensation is collecting on the windows near the humidifier, then there is an excess amount of humidity.  Refrain/reduce its use until the condensation disappears.
5. Improve indoor air flow. To increase the air circulation inside your home, open doors between rooms, open closet doors, open dresser drawers (especially if the dresser is on an outside wall), and move large furniture away from outside walls (where possible).
6. Check problem areas outside too. If the gutters are full of leaves and debris, rain water or snow melt may back up and cause roof damage.  And even if the gutters are clean, if the yard is pitched so that water runs back towards the house, water may find a way inside your home.  Correct the pitch so water flows away from the structure.

Remember, if you smell a musty smell, that could mean you already have active mold growing in your home.  Call the mold experts at SERVPRO Bedford Park/Burbank at 708-430-3600 to set up an inspection.