Finding mold in your home can be so unsettling. In addition to its unpleasant look and smell, it also has the potential to cause health issues in well individuals and worsen symptoms in those with existing conditions. Though mold is an omnipresent organism, existing both indoors and out, it poses no threat unless it is activated. The danger usually lies in spores that find their way into favorable environments of moisture and humidity. With these factors, mold is able to flourish as long as the water source is steady. The following helps on how to prevent mold from developing.
Most times, mold is able to grow undetected because of the usually hidden areas it develops such as within walls, ceilings or roofs typically because of a leaking pipe. However, there are certain things that can be done to prevent mold from developing in your home.
How To Prevent Mold From Developing: Improve the Ventilation
A well-ventilated house will discourage mold from growing. Areas prone to poor ventilation such as the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, laundry room, or the garage can easily attract mold. Check appliances that provide ventilation such as AC units and dehumidifiers so that they don’t retain moisture. Check the manufacturer’s direction on how to take care of these appliances and ensure they are properly ventilated. It can be helpful to keep the windows around your house open during the day to allow proper ventilation.
Maintain Healthy Humidity Levels
According to the EPA, your indoor humidity levels should be between 30 to 60 percent. If you live in areas with cold climates, you should always purchase a moisture meter to keep track of your humidity. If you don’t have the device, you can check for signs of high humidity by examining condensation in walls, windows, and pipes. If you notice that the humidity levels are high, identify the moisture sources and dry the house immediately. Turn on your dehumidifiers and restore to healthy humidity levels.
Take Care of Dark Places
Sometimes it’s not easy to notice mold growth in dark areas until the problem escalates. Mold can grow undetected in the attic, garage, and other crawl spaces. Areas such as the attic attract mold due to excess humidity created by exhaust fans. Also, the attic and crawl spaces are poorly ventilated, providing perfect conditions for the growth of mold. Make sure you upgrade the insulation and re-route exhaust fans in the attic to reduce excess humidity.
If you want to avoid the growth of mold in your home, there are a couple of preventative measures that you can take to lessen your chances. Because mold creates an unhealthy living environment, especially for people with breathing problems, proper precautions should be taken to prevent mold growth before it occurs. If you live in areas exposed to floods or low climate conditions, you should be on higher alert because you will have to deal with mold more often.
Whether you need mold testing, mold inspection or mold remediation, professionals at OTM Restoration are your best choice to achieve all your mold objectives as the process can be much more involved and thorough than expected.
For more info or to schedule a consultation contact us today at 800-416-5986
