Have you noticed any strange smells in your house? Do you find that you have trouble breathing in your own home lately? If you have been having these experiences in your home recently, then you might have mold in your house. Mold in your home is not only inconvenient but also harmful to the health of your home and yourself. The good news is that there are ways you can prevent mold from invading your home.
1. Maintain Airflow
Mold grows in damp areas, so the first step you can take to prevent mold growth is to maintain airflow throughout your house. One part of your house where mold can easily grow is your bathroom due to the considerable amount of dampness and humidity produced by baths and showers. Whenever you finish taking a bath or shower, always turn on your bathroom fan to prevent mold growth. You do not have to keep the bathroom fan on for very long, but ten minutes should help keep your bathroom mold-free. The EPA recommends venting dryers, stoves, and kerosene heaters outdoors when possible due to their production of vapor, which in turn raises humidity levels inside. If you want to be extra vigilant about keeping your indoor humidity low, you can purchase a humidity meter from your local home improvement store. Periodically letting air into your home by opening windows also maintains circulation. The more you can keep air moving in your home, the less likely you are to encounter mold indoors.
2. When a Leak or Spill Happens, Be Proactive!
Leaks and spills in your home can also lead to mold, so the moment you spot that leak, immediately make sure you keep that part of your home dry over the next two days. The sooner you act, the less likely you are to find mold in that area later. Make sure you investigate the cause and origin of that leak and fix it as soon as possible too. It is important to dry all parts thoroughly. Keeping that area dry will also prevent mold growths from appearing in and spreading from the places where the original leak started.
3. Use Mold-Killing Products
When cleaning kitchens, bathrooms, or any part of your home, research cleaning products that kill or reduce mold. There are many different mold cleaners and mold killer products you can apply when performing household maintenance. You can also use substances such as vinegar, baking soda, and bleach to help kill mold too. Make sure to check what products will work best in your household and be most effective on your surfaces without leaving any damage.
4. Dry Everything After Severe Storms
If you live in an area prone to flooding, you need to be vigilant about drying any and all parts of your home that were covered in floodwater. The high presence of water and moisture during floods and hurricanes increases the risk of mold growth in your home, so as soon as you are able to, dry off any and all parts of your home that are wet. The more thorough you are in drying your home after a severe storm, the less likely it is that you will detect mold later.
Questions or Concerns?
These are just four of many methods you can use to prevent mold from growing in your home. You might have questions about other forms of mold prevention or even be curious about what techniques will be most effective in your home. Maybe you have tried all of the above prevention methods only to still find mold growing in your house. At ASAP Restoration, we provide services that will help keep your home mold free. Contact us about mold remediation or advice for prevention today!