HOME REPAIRS

HOW TO PREVENT MOLD GROWTH IN YOUR HOUSE

02/06/2023

HOME REPAIRS

HOW TO PREVENT MOLD GROWTH IN YOUR HOUSE

02/06/2023

Keeping your home free from mold is integral to keeping your household healthy and safe. In order to protect your family or tenants from developing serious health issues from mold, there are several cleaning and ventilation methods to keep your home mold-free. Reduce the chances of mold growing in your home with these simple tips!

If you have already noticed there’s mold growth in your home, you’ll want to get it all removed from your home and repair the damages right away. This way you can reduce any more mold spores to spread throughout your house and potentially get your household ill.

What is the Mold that Grows in the House?

Where there is moisture, mold prevails. Did that make your spine tingle? In the Pacific Northwest, where humidity is high and wet conditions are the norm, it sounds impossible to avoid dampness in the home. There are countless types of mold and not all of them are toxic and harmful. The molds that can thrive indoors are commonly known as Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus. Mold spores need a vehicle to thrive whether by air or by attaching to people or objects.

“Mold sprouts from tiny spores that float about in the air and settle on moist surfaces, where they reproduce into mold colonies” (1). This is why ventilation is vital to minimize chances of the mold spores lingering in your home. When mold begins to spread and mature in the home, it can lead to serious health problems and damage to your property. The two main things to remember are to make sure your home is well-ventilated and dry.

The mold that grows indoors thrives on ceilings, walls, carpets, insulation, tiles, cardboard, paper, and wooden products. If moisture can be retained and there is no ventilation, you’re likely to have mold growth flourish and colonize.

Common Areas Where Mold is Likely to Grow in Your Home

Bathrooms
Basement
Attic
Crawl spaces
Roof
Kitchen
Laundry room
Around ducts, vents, and pipes
Around window sills

If you’d like to read more in-depth about Black Mold, here’s a great article for you.

How Does Mold Affect Your Health?

People with pre-existing respiratory problems or weakened immune systems will be the first to experience the effects of mold. For others, it may be some mild and uncomfortable symptoms that will be hard to ignore.

Some health hazards include:

Skin irritation: Rashes and hives are commonly experienced by those exposed to mold.
Allergic reactions: Commonly coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes, and runny noses.
Respiratory and asthmatic symptoms: Some people have triggered asthmatic reactions. For others, infections can be far more dangerous to their respiratory system.
Toxicity: Some molds produce mycotoxins, a toxic compound that if inhaled or ingested can cause serious health problems.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to Mold In Your House by MedicalNewsToday.

How to Prevent Mold to Grow in Your House

There are several ways to eliminate the chances of mold growth in your home:

Keep indoor humidity levels low: Aim for 30-50% to prevent mold growth.
Ventilation: Make sure you let in the fresh air in areas that are most likely to hold humidity ( especially bathroom, laundry room, bedrooms, and basements).
Keep your home clean: Wipe down surfaces to get rid of potential mold spores before they have the opportunity to spread.
Inspect your home for leaks: Water damage from leaky pipes and roofs are a great environment for mold to thrive. Condensation held in and around windows are ideal for spores to grow.
Consider getting a humidity sensor: This would be a great gadget to have if your home is susceptible to mold growth. They’re affordable and fairly accurate too.
Consider using a dehumidifier: It can significantly reduce moisture in the air. This will be especially beneficial in basements, attics, and crawl spaces.
Store your contents properly: Make sure your belongings are stored in well-ventilated areas, especially paper and wooden products. If you have children, you’ll have to be extra vigilant with mold growth.

If you already have mold growth in your home, you’ll want to take care of that right away!

Here’s a resource to help you get going but if it’s severe, you’ll want to call technicians to get it removed and repair other damages.

How to Keep Moisture Out of the Home

The art of keeping mold at bay could be its own series. Mold is a major issue in the Pacific Northwest. The key is ventilation and reducing moisture. So how do you manage this in such a moist environment?

Improve air circulation: Open windows daily, especially in moisture-retaining rooms such as the basement, bathroom, and laundry room. While you cook and bathe, open the windows and/or use the exhaust fan to push out moisture.
Fix leaks: If you notice any water damage or potential of it, get it inspected and repaired. Catch the mold colony early in the stages before it creates more damage.
Proper insulation: Are you overdue for insulation inspection and maintenance? By insulating appropriately, you can reduce the amount of moisture and warmth that condenses on cool surfaces.
Seal air leaks and create a barrier: Use caulk, weather stripping, and waterproof barriers around doors and windows. Prevent air and moisture to enter through the cracks.

These simple maintenance methods can prevent mold to thrive and colonize your home. When you stay on top of eliminating all chances for mold to spread, you will reduce structural damage and keep your home safe for all the residents.

Call High Mark One Call's expert technicians to schedule your appointment for your mold removal and drywall repairs at 604-245-6060.

Moisture control, cleanliness, and air ventilation are the three keys to reducing the humidity levels in your home. When you clear your house of mold infestation, not only will the air quality improve drastically but your immune system can rebuild itself again. Keep your home mold-free with these simple tips and prevent any chance of it taking over your home.

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Sources Cited:

(1) HGTV: How to Identify and Remove Mold in Your Home. Hochberg, Mina.