Some mold will always be around. When mold enters your home through open vents, doors, and HVAC systems, it can cause many health consequences. Mold also gets into homes on clothing, pets, and when it grows on areas with moisture, like pipes or carpet or wallpaper.
People with compromised immune systems are most affected by mold in the home. It may cause lung infections. Other people may experience a sore throat, coughing and wheezing, stuffy noses, and burning eyes. Asthma and allergy sufferers can also experience severe reactions to mold growth in the home.
The best defense against the problems mold causes is to keep it out of your home. There are simple strategies that work well to prevent mold growth in the home. The nine strategies below are some of the best ways to keep mold away from your home.
1- Maintain Proper Humidity Levels
Many people do not monitor the humidity levels in their homes. This is a mistake that may very well allow moisture to infiltrate the home. Prevent the problem by investing in a humidifier or a dehumidifier, depending on the area of the country you call home. Professional installation for whole-house units is more expensive than a stand-alone unit but works significantly better. Either option is better than none. Remember, humidity levels fluctuate throughout the day. Keep an eye on the levels and take action if they decrease lower than 50%. This is a pristine environment for mold growth and does keep in mind that it takes mold only 48-hours to grow!
2- Reduce Moisture
Too much moisture causes mold growth. Keeping moisture out of your home is another solution to a mold problem. Use exhaust fans in basements and bathrooms for the best moisture reduction strategy possible. Turn on the fans during showers or any time water will be used for prolonged times. The exhaust fan circulates moisture out of the air and outside of the home. Additionally, use proper dryer vents that reach outside the home to keep moisture away.
3- Time for an Inspection
Periodically check the house for leaks in the plumbing, roof, or walls. Leaks provide mold the moisture needed to grow. Prevent moisture in the house to combat mold problems. Experts suggest a monthly inspection to ensure mold does not have time to cause concern in your home. It takes only a few minutes and can prevent health problems and headaches later down the road.
4- Let the Air Flow
Increase the airflow into your home. Open windows for better ventilation when possible. However, never open them if the air conditioner is running. Keep dark spaces well-ventilated and open closet doors. These simple things improve the airflow coming into the home, in turn keeping mold out of your home and your hair.
5- Remove Wet Items
Do not leave anything wet -like used towels-lying around the house. In just 48-hours, they may cause mold to grow in the area. It’s a good rule of thumb to avoid using the basement to dry clothes as well. Mold thrives in the basement. Hanging anything wet in this room invites moisture inside.
6- Finish the Basement
If there is an unfinished basement in your home, it’s worthwhile to call someone in to finish it to further provide space to your family but most importantly keep mold at bay. Cost to finish a basement varies, with many factors determining the cost. Some of the work may be DIY work if you have the right tools available. At the end of the day, the money spent to finish the basement saves a lot of hassle later on.
7- Home Insulation 101
Is your home properly insulated? Call professional insulators if not because proper insulation benefits your home in numerous ways. Not only will insulation keep the home warmer in the winter, reducing energy consumption and costs, it keeps mold away.
8- Cater to Crawlspaces
Crawlspaces are a big source of mold growth for many families. The solution is to install moisture barriers in the home’s crawlspaces to prevent moisture accumulation and mold growth. This DIY job requires nothing more than using fans to dry out the area, then covering the dirt floor with a sheet of landscaping plastic.
9- Professional Mold Inspection
Get your home professionally tested for mold. The lasting health effects of mold can harbor your quality of life. Although expensive, professional testing reduces the risks of mold growing in your home. An annual inspection combined with monthly DIY inspections should suffice to keep your home mold-free.
The nine tips above are among many ways homeowners can keep mold out of their homes. While a handful of these tips require an investment, it’s worth the money when you secure your family’s health and well-being. Mold certainly is not a friend you want in the home. We hope these tips help keep mold out of your home and your family a little safer and healthier. Without the harmful effects of mold weighing down, you can live such a life. Know more about why it is bad to have Black Mold.