With much of the nation mustering up the courage to travel again, especially during the holiday season, we’d like to, as the mold remediation experts, shed some light on the dos and don’ts when leaving your house for an extended vacation.
We’ve compiled a list of the top 8 things to do at home before going on vacation. By doing the below, you’ll have the peace of mind in knowing your abode should remain in tip-top shape.
1. Watch Out for Moisture
Generally speaking, mold needs anywhere between 24 and 48 hours of moisture to grow. Therefore, you need to make sure that you’ve eliminated any sources of moisture before leaving your home. From running an exhaust fan to turning on fans, there are many things you can do to reduce moisture before you go.
2. Water Leaks Are Dangerous
One of the main causes of mold infestations is water leaks. Why? Because they increase your home’s moisture and humidity, which creates an ideal environment for mold to grow. As a result, you need to inspect your home and watch out for things such as leaking roofs, walls, water pipes, taps, or showers. And, if you find any leaks, make sure to call a contractor as soon as possible to fix them before leaving on your vacation.
3. Prevent Condensation
Condensation forms on cold surfaces when water vapors in the air cool down and become liquid. You’ll often notice this on concrete walls, metal pipes, windows, and water tanks. But since condensation can increase the moisture in your home, you’ll need to get rid of it. To do that, you need to keep the temperature throughout your house warmer. You can also insulate your pipes or walls, further reducing condensation.
4. Reduce Humidity
Most species of mold can grow in the presence of humidity if it stays high enough. Actually, any humidity higher than 55% can promote the growth of mold and may lead to infestations. As such, it is essential that you reduce humidity by ventilating the rooms where moisture and steam tend to build up, such as your bathroom and kitchen. You can also rely on air dehumidifiers if you are having trouble controlling your home’s humidity.
5. Minimize Mold Spores
Mold spores are all around us, as they float in the air with little to no way to get rid of them permanently. However, if the concentration of mold spores inside your home reaches a higher level, it may cause health issues. That’s why you’ll have to constantly vacuum your home, preferably using HEPA vacuum cleaners. Additionally, you can install HEPA air filters to help remove mold spores from the air.
6. Remove Mold Food Sources
Mold grows and feeds on organic substances like cotton, wood, carpets, paper, paint, and leather. As a result, you need to clean all surfaces in your home to remove any potential food source for mold. And, just like previously mentioned, vacuuming with a HEPA filtered vacuum is the best way to do that. Don’t forget to take out the trash before you go. Food in the trash will mold.
7. Take Care of Wet Laundry
After washing your clothes, you should immediately dry them and avoid letting them sit in a wet pile for a long time. Why? Because they can increase your home’s humidity and promote the growth of mold. And while drying them outside on a clothesline is the ideal situation, you can also dry them inside as long as you remove the humid air afterward. Allow wet towels to dry before throwing them in the laundry basket.
8. Sunlight Is Essential
Mold tends to prefer dark spaces when growing indoors. Therefore, allowing sunlight into your home will reduce the chances of mold infestations and also help control your home’s humidity levels. So make sure to open the curtains during the day to let natural light in.
It’s Time to Call a Specialist
Sometimes, the best thing you can do about mold is to call a specialist like Mold Solutions. Our experts are able to inspect and identify any potential problems that could lead to mold. Not only that but we can also remediate existing mold infestations with ease.
So why worry about mold while on vacation, when you can relax knowing that your home is safe and sound?
