The one word we never want to hear in relation to our home is mold. Mold can do serious damage to both your house and your health. So, what should you do if you are concerned about mold? You could start on time and detect humid places using moisture control tools with a built-in humidistat to prevent mold from appearing in the first place.
The experts at Mold Solutions have put together a list of six things you can do at home to keep mold under control.
1. Find Problematic Areas
The first thing you can do is check your home to identify potential problem areas. Maybe there’s a leak on your ceiling every time it rains, or you have a window that you notice condensation on. Repairs around your home might cost you a bit upfront, but this will turn out to be a good investment.
2. Pay Attention to Proper Ventilation
Make sure your ordinary home activities, such as cooking or taking a shower, are not creating a perfect environment for mold to grow. So, try opening your windows after cooking or using an exhaust fan. Moreover, you can use AC and dehumidifiers.
Additionally, when you don’t have proper airflow in the attic, that causes moisture and in turn, mold so be sure to have functioning attic fans and proper ventilation. Without proper ventilation in your attic, hot air (full of moisture), will be in your attic causing condensation. Excess heat and condensation can cause major damage to your roof and roofing materials. Not only that, but it causes mold and mildew.
3. Use Mold-Resistant Materials When Renovating
If you are already planning to renovate your home, consider mold-resistant products. For example, there are mold-resistant drywalls and mold inhibitors for paints. Use them for areas in your home with higher humidity levels, such as bathrooms, basements, kitchens, and laundry rooms.
4. Monitor Humidity Inside Your Home
It would be best to keep indoor humidity to 30–60%. You can buy a moisture meter with a humidistat in almost any hardware store. This way, you will detect high humidity areas and take necessary steps before mold appears.
5. Improve Airflow
As the weather becomes colder, you might notice more moisture on your walls, windows, and floors. You can resolve this problem by making a better airflow in your home. So, you should keep the doors to your rooms open, as well as your closet doors. Moreover, you can move the furniture away from walls and regularly let the fresh air in.
6. Keep Your Rooms and Things Dry
Mold needs moisture, so make sure you dry any wet areas immediately. Everything from a glass of water spilled on the carpet to a flood needs to be dried within 24–48 hours if you want to avoid the risk of mold. Furthermore, try not to leave wet items around your house, and make sure to dry your bathroom floors and walls after you take a shower. Also, if you like to hang your clothes to dry inside, always do it in a room with good air circulation.
Final Thoughts
You can never completely mold-proof your home, but you can always do everything in your power to prevent mold from appearing in the first place. So, try to find problematic spots, use humidity meters with humidistat, and improve airflow around your home. Aside from following these tips, it might also be helpful to check and plan according to your area’s climate. By learning how to deal with mold in your location can make your job so much easier.
