Can You Prevent Mold Growth?

6/8/2020 (Permalink)

Almost 50% of households within the United States experience mold growth of various severity scales. Several types of molds are considered life-threatening as they pose critical risks to human health and that of pets as well. Homeowners need to be aware of the mold situation within their household to minimize their exposure to this harmful growth. Apart from our health, molds may also jeopardize the value of our homes as they cause property damages.

Indoor Humidity

Molds are not able to thrive without moisture. Thus, we need to be sensitive to our surroundings and be vigilant in getting rid of water sources that are not in use. There are other areas of concern apart from water leakage and spills alone. They may be hidden away from sight and the usage of a hygrometer can help detect any humidity levels to monitor any moisture around the house.

Good Ventilation

Always ensure that every room in your house has enough ventilation. This will help to reduce the humidity levels in each region to help stop mold from surviving. Since air holds a certain percentage of water vapor, condensation can occur when the temperature of a room fluctuates. Good ventilation can help control this situation to prevent mold growth.

Exhaust Fans

Exhaust fans are often left unnoticed around the house since they are just a small device located at mainly the kitchen and bathroom. However, their purpose is really important to vent moisture away. This can prevent water vapor from sticking onto walls and promote mold growth when humidity levels increase.

Outdoor Drainage

Pay close attention to paths that contain water flows such as the drains or pools. If your house is not situated on top of a hill, most likely the water will remain stagnant. This can contribute towards the development of mold and becomes the foundation of serious mold buildup. This is also true for rain gutters that can collect rain but may not release it.

Wet Spillage

The simplest but most efficient way to prevent mold is to keep your home dry. Mop up any spills immediately regardless of where it may have taken place. Wet items should also be cleared and not left bundled up on the floor. Houses with carpets need to perform this simple action even more as carpets absorb water easily.

Mold Prevention: How it is Easier to Avoid than to Rectify

The abovementioned steps can most definitely help prevent mold buildup but not entirely. There will still be certain areas that are simply inevitable in promoting the growth of mold. Certain parts of your home which are out of sight or reach may still experience mold but probably not enough to cause an entire infestation to occur. As a homeowner, always be wary of your surroundings and tackle any situation that can support mold growth before it is able to even develop.