Every homeowner and landlord needs to understand how to prevent mold from growing to keep their properties safe.
Mold is enough to scare any homeowner, and with good reason. It can spread rapidly and is often difficult to remove—not to mention the many health concerns it can cause. It’s best to keep mold from getting into your house in the first place.
Learn more about mold prevention by reading the critical information below.
Why is Mold a Problem?
Mold spores are tiny and lightweight, making it incredibly easy for them to spread and grow—even during the cleaning process. Once they spread, mold can grow almost anywhere and thrive in hidden spaces. Furthermore, when mold penetrates or spreads across a large area (such as inside cabinetry), complete restoration is the only way to remove it. Finally, mold can be detrimental to your health. Allergens, irritants, and toxins can damage your air quality and exacerbate health conditions like asthma, allergies, and other respiratory issues.
7 Ways to Prevent Mold from Growing
Although the threat of mold is different for each home and mostly depends on location, we’ve assembled a list of seven key ways to fight mold in any space.
1. Find Your Danger Zones
Mold loves moisture and dark areas. Where can you find moist, humid, dark, or undisturbed areas in your home? Be mindful of basements, behind water-using appliances, or water stains anywhere in your home.
2. No Wetness
Be vigilant about cleaning up and drying out any wetness. That includes wet laundry, towels and rugs in the bathroom, and spills on the carpet.
3. Ventilate Well
Circulating air can prevent standing moisture and mold. One of the only drawbacks of modern, energy-efficient homes is that air can get trapped inside more easily, so counter this with fans and running your air conditioner regularly.
4. Dehumidify
Invest in a dehumidifier in areas with extra moisture. Setting up a dehumidifier in the basement or a bathroom that struggles with circulation can decrease the amount of moisture in the air and on surfaces that could encourage mold.
5. Check Grading & Downspouts
If the soil around your home isn’t properly graded, any moisture will travel to your home’s foundation and into your basement or crawlspace. Not only will this encourage mold in the most invisible of places, but it can also threaten the integrity of your home’s foundation.
6. Clean Your Gutters
Your gutter will fill with leaves, droppings, dirt, and pieces of roof shingles over time. If your gutters remain obstructed, water will gather in the gutters and begin pooling around the edges of your roof. It’s the perfect recipe for mold.
7. Increase Air Flow
Soon the temperatures will begin to drop, and the air can grow stagnant. Open closets and move furniture away from the walls, especially in less-used rooms.
Making these simple steps part of your general home maintenance can prevent costly mold removal and hassle.
Contact RestoreMasters for Professional Mold Removal
You should do everything in your power to prevent mold from growing, but if you find it in your home, don’t try to tackle it yourself. Mold spreads easily and requires careful techniques for proper removal. RestoreMasters can answer your questions, fix mold problems, and repair any damage you incur. We serve Salt Lake and Utah counties.
