Mold in your home always means bad news. It can grow everywhere, and it represents a threat not only to your home and belongings but also to your health. As a living organism, mold thrives when it encounters the right conditions. Basements, kitchens, bathrooms, and pretty much any other area where water is present is a potential breeding ground for it. Mold is far from being harmless; it is known to cause massive structural damage to wallpaper, drywall, ceiling tiles, and floorboards. Fortunately, there are ways to protect your home from this unwanted guest.
Control Indoor Humidity
Mold requires dampness to survive. It grows and spreads in the presence of wet surfaces. However, without significant levels of humidity, mold can’t take over your home. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the humidity levels recommended by the EPA to keep mold under control range from 30% to 60% although to be safe, it’s better to stay at 50%. Once the humidity reaches 70% or above, it’s time to do something about it or your home will be in trouble. Measuring the humidity levels inside your home is simple. You can purchase a hygrometer available at most hardware stores. If you don’t have a meter, you can check for condensation on windows and walls. Wherever there is condensation, the chances of mold appearing are high.
There are several ways to control the humidity in your home. You can use dehumidifiers to remove excess moisture from the air. Also, make sure your air conditioner is working properly. If the drainage pipes are blocked, you will have a mold problem soon enough. Keep the windows and doors shut when the AC is working unless you want to invite humid air.
Use Mold-Resistant Materials
Controlling humidity in your home is good but is not enough. You also want to make it mold-resistant. If you are building a house or are planning renovations, it’s imperative to use proper materials to reduce the presence of mold as much as possible. Organic materials such as wood, paper, and most fabrics are targeted by mold as they are their prime food source. Use inorganic construction products that mold won’t be able to feed on.
For example, metals such as steel are excellent materials that can be used to build a mold-resistant home. Steel doesn’t permit the intrusion of moisture inside your home. The metal used in roofing is not porous, making it resistant to water damage. Due to its inorganic nature, mold can’t use metal as a food source. Additionally, the expansion and contraction of materials that typically occur around windows and doors as a result of excessive moisture is not a problem with metal structures.
Keep Your Home Dry
If water accumulates in your home, mold will inevitably appear. Check your basement often and make sure no water is present on the floor. Keep an eye out for puddles near the refrigerator, windows, and water tanks. Clean up spills and take care of any leaks that might be present in the bathroom and kitchen. According to AdvantaClean, you should examine crawl spaces and determine if there are foundation leaks. Most importantly, remember to clean your gutters regularly or water will be able to make its way into your home.
Although mold can be devastating to your home if left unchecked, there are simple ways to maintain this menace at bay. Controlling humidity, using mold-resistant materials, and keeping your home dry are just a few techniques you can use to prevent it from running rampant. Apply these methods as soon as you can, and you won’t have to worry about outrageous mold-related bills in the future.
For more tips on how to keep your home safe, read this other article!
