Mold isn’t just unsightly. It can also compromise the integrity of your home and pose serious health risks to the humans and other creatures living inside of it.
If you’re living in a humid environment, such as the Pacific Northwest, preventing mold growth becomes even more critical due to the consistently high moisture levels in the air, providing perfect conditions for mold to grow and thrive. In this article, we’ll look at some effective mold prevention strategies you can use to keep mold at bay so you have a home environment that’s safe and promotes healthy living.
1. Use Dehumidifiers
Is your home environment too humid? It probably comes as no surprise, then, that one of the best tips is to use a dehumidifier to combat mold. Reducing the moisture content in the air, as dehumidifiers do, makes it harder for mold to thrive.
Dehumidifiers are most useful when placed in areas with poor ventilation, lots of innate moisture, or both, such as basements, laundry rooms, or bathrooms. Set the humidity level at 50 percent or lower, with 30 to 50 percent being the ideal range.
Empty and clean the water reservoir regularly to prevent any bacterial growth. You don’t want to trade your mold for something else.
If you don’t want to run dehumidifiers too often, another option is to use tools like hygrometers to measure humidity levels in your home. This will help you keep track of indoor humidity so that you know when to use a dehumidifier.
2. Properly Ventilate Your Home
Mold thrives where moisture accumulates. So, in addition to using a dehumidifier to reduce the level of moisture in the air, proper ventilation and airflow help ensure the moisture that remains doesn’t stay in one place, making it harder for mold to take root.
Install exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathrooms and regularly use them to expel steam created from cooking and bathing. During low-humidity periods, open windows to let fresh air circulate through the house.
Ensure your HVAC system is in good condition so that it’s regularly helping airflow throughout your home, and use filters that are designed to trap mold spores.
3. Address Moisture Issues Immediately
Given that mold thrives in wet, humid environments, addressing any water issues immediately is critical to avoid its growth.
Regularly inspect your home for leaks, especially plumbing or roof leaks, which can be especially damaging in wet, rainy environments like the Pacific Northwest. Then, repair them as soon as they’re identified.
If you are unfortunate enough to experience a flood, dry out the affected area within 24 to 48 hours (if possible). Keep in mind that flooding in your home can be the result of more than just natural events. A burst pipe could cause just as much damage as a foundation leak or storm damage on a rainy day.
Even minor moisture issues, like an abundance of condensation, can build and become a mold hazard over time. Use insulating materials to reduce condensation on cold surfaces to prevent this.
One great way to prevent too much condensation is to reduce fluctuations in temperature. Maintaining a consistent indoor temperature that isn’t too different from the outdoor environment will reduce how condensation builds and forms.
4. Improve Home Drainage Systems
One great way to prevent water from building up in your home and causing mold is to prevent it from entering your home in the first place. You can make some key changes to your house and your property to reduce the likelihood of this happening:
- Gutters and downspouts: Keep gutters and downspouts clean and debris-free, ensuring proper water drainage well away from your house and its foundation.
- Sloping: Ensure the ground around your home is graded to slope away from the foundation; this will prevent water from pooling.
- Sump pumps: If you live in a wet environment where flooding in low-lying areas is not uncommon, consider installing sump pumps in places like your basement to ensure the water doesn’t stick around for long.
5. Use Mold-Resistant Products
Sometimes, moisture in the air is unavoidable, especially in parts of the world where it is rainy for long stretches during the year. Consider using mold-resistant materials in your home wherever possible. Mold-resistant paint is great for bathrooms, kitchens, and other high-moisture areas. Similarly, if you are doing any renovation or construction projects, consider using mold-resistant drywall, treated wood, and waterproof sealants.
6. Keep Surfaces Clean and Dry
Regularly cleaning and drying off surfaces can prevent mold spores from ever having a chance to settle and spread. If there is a spill or a splash, dry the surface as soon as possible. If it is an area where this happens regularly, consider using anti-fungal cleaning agents to disinfect the surface.
Also, avoid using carpets in areas prone to moisture, such as bathrooms or kitchens, as they can trap water and encourage mold growth beneath them.
7. Inspect Common Sources of Mold
Appliances that use water can be a hidden source of mold if they aren’t properly maintained.
- Washing machines: Leave the door open after every use, allowing the drum to air out and dry. Clean the gasket every few months.
- Refrigerators: Check and clean the drip pan and ensure that it’s draining properly.
- Air conditioners: Regularly clean and service units to prevent mold buildup in ducts and filters.
In addition to these indoor sources of mold, you can also fight mold outside the house, reducing the likelihood that it’ll enter your living spaces.
- Remove decaying vegetation in gardens and keep soil well-drained, especially if your garden is adjacent to the house.
- Trim tree branches away from your roof and siding to prevent damage that could lead to leaks.
- Power wash decks, patios, and siding to remove mold and mildew.
- Store firewood far away from your home, as it can harbor mold spores.
8. If You Find Mold, Act Quickly
If you discover mold, time is of the essence. It’s essential to address the problem quickly to prevent it from spreading. For minor mold growth in small areas, try scrubbing the area with soap and water or a vinegar or bleach solution. More extensive mold problems, however, should be handled by professional mold removal services.
If you have mold in your home or are interested in a professional assessment as to how you can mold-proof your home, contact the experts at Biodynamic.
