Any homeowner who has been through a costly mold removal process will tell you they would have done things differently. It may have started as a small and relatively harmless problem. It may even have been invisible for a long period of time. But eventually, the infestation grew to the point where professional intervention was needed to protect the health of those inside the home, as well as the integrity of the home itself.
That’s why every reputable mold removal company puts so much emphasis on prevention. Taking steps to prevent mold now may be another item on your long list of things to do, but failing to do so can be costly in the long run. Check out our list of mold prevention techniques that every homeowner should know and implement today.
1. Better ventilation and lower humidity
If there’s one thing you should know about mold prevention, it’s the importance of controlling humidity. The more moisture you have in your home, the greater your chances of a mold problem. Ventilation is one important way to control moisture. When the air in your home is consistently exchanged, humidity tends to drop. In-home ventilators are a great tool for this, and can also help your heating and cooling systems run more efficiently.
Dehumidifiers are another strong anti-mold measure. These can be used as standalone units, or professionally built in to your HVAC system to keep your humidity at optimum levels.
Even if you don’t use a ventilator or dehumidifier in your home, encouraging ventilation by periodically opening windows in your home can be an effective step toward preventing mold. Fans and vents should be used regularly wherever they are installed. In the Summertime, running your air conditioner can also help prevent mold, as modern air conditioning units dehumidify the air while cooling it.
2. Dry your laundry outside
Homeowners often set up clothes lines in a utility room and hang articles of clothing to dry there. This seems like a convenient option if the weather is cold or wet, but it can lead to mold problems due to the increased humidity. Whenever possible, dry your laundry outside or in a mechanical dryer. This will prevent humidity from developing in the air and attracting mold growth.
3. Clean those gutters
When your gutters are obstructed or otherwise not functioning properly, the stoppage can lead to increased moisture in and around your home’s walls. Poor gutter systems are a surprisingly common factor in mold problems; so clean your gutters regularly, especially in spring and autumn months. You might also consider new seamless gutters that do a better job of conducting water consistently away from your home throughout the year.
4. Bring in more light
Sunlight is a relatively unknown—but effective—countermeasure against mold. Colonies prefer dark and damp areas where they can grow undisturbed. By allowing more light into the darker spaces of your home, including attics and basements, you’ll make it that much harder for mold to flourish.
Maintaining a mold-free home
Mold prevention is relatively simple when you understand the basic conditions mold needs in order to grow. Ventilation, dehumidification and natural daylight are three important steps to prevent mold. You may also have unique environmental risks, depending on where you live. A consultation with a professional mold removal company is generally a low cost proposition, and give you a much clearer picture of where you stand with potential mold problems.
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