Preventing Mold Growth In Your Home

There are numerous methods for mold to get into your house (mold spores travel through open doorways, windows, vents, and HVAC systems, and are carried inside on shoes, clothes, and pets). Once inside, mold will congregate on surfaces and wait for a moisture-rich environment before starting to grow. After being exposed to moisture for as little as 48 hours, mold can begin to form. Wood, ceiling tiles, cardboards, paper products, drywall, wallpaper, insulation, and carpet are just a few of the ideal surfaces for mold growth (so basically everything in your home). 

Mold Removal West Bay

Here are some tips on how to stop mold from growing within your West Bay home since we have no shortage of moisture and water here. 

1. Minimize Indoor Humidity Levels: The humidity levels in your home should be kept as low as possible, which is easier said than done in Florida. To help remove excess moisture from the air, you can use a dehumidifier and an air conditioner. Both of these devices remove water from the air, which in turn helps to maintain a more cool temperature. Be sure to monitor the humidity levels in your home throughout the day because they are continually fluctuating with the temperature and adjust accordingly. Reducing humidity will help reduce the potential for mold to grow and thrive, saving you from mold removal.
2. Maintain Your Home: Regular inspections of your plumbing, foundation, windows, and roof are absolutely necessary to help reduce the risk of mold problems. These locations frequently experience leaks and if you do not keep up with regular maintenance, you may miss early indicators of deterioration and mold damage until they become serious issues. Mold can grow in your home if water leaks in under damaged shingles, or if your foundation is cracked, ad even if your windows are not properly sealed – not to mention if you have leaky pipes. Make sure to swiftly fix any damaged, missing, or broken parts of your home to help keep out excess moisture and keep mold growth at bay.
3. Check Your Ventilation: Make certain that your home has adequate ventilation. Stoves, dryers, heaters, and showers are a few examples of appliances that need ventilation to the exterior of your home so that steam and moisture do not build up inside. Ventilation is also necessary for bathrooms to prevent moisture and steam from accumulating there and in the kitchen above range hoods. Exhaust fans can assist in the movement of moisture from your home through ventilation outside. If vents have become blocked or clogged, the moisture will have nowhere to go but back into your home, where it can facilitate mold growth. 
4. Get Professional Help When Dealing With Water Damage: Water damage is one of the most frequent sponsors of mold growth. Mold can spread very quickly when appliances leak or flooding occurs – especially if water damage cleanup is put off for too long or not handled correctly. Make sure to contact a reputable water restoration firm if your home sustains any kind of water damage so they can ensure adequate drying is completed in your home and mold is not given the chance to take over.

Even if all the best efforts are taken to avoid mold in your home, it is not 100% preventable. When you need mold removal here in West Bay, give Daystar Cleaning a call.