Helpful Tips for Mold Prevention

Mold is an antagonistic force that almost every homeowner must face at some point. While it’s a common issue, one can certainly take preventative measures to avoid mold all together. Even your everyday maintenance routines can help prevent the circumstances that create an attractive environment for mold spores. If you add just a few more steps to your cleaning routine, you can expect not to experience any substantial problems. To ensure mold won’t overrun your home, review our guide to mold prevention below.

Maintain Humidity in the Home

Too much moisture in the air can cause mold to begin to grow. If humidity levels start to reach over 50%, enough moisture will create a feast for mold to feed on. A dehumidifier provides an ideal addition to your home to keep the humidity within the proper levels.

Keep Areas Free of Clutter

While stray clutter on its own may not cause mold to grow, it can certainly change the environment in a way where conditions that can cause mold may present themselves. Clutter can restrict the airflow in a room by blocking important ventilation areas. Additionally, you can’t really detect moisture that collects among a pile of clutter. If air flow gets blocked off, that clutter won’t allow areas to dry before mold begins to develop.

If clutter begins to stack up, dark areas may also become a breeding ground for bugs—such as termites and cockroaches—that enjoy feeding on mold. The combination of mold and bugs will create a more extensive and expensive removal process than if you were dealing with mold alone.

Fix Any Leaks

Make sure to keep an eye on the pipes inside your home. If any leaks begin in the pipes beneath your sink, you may not immediately notice them. These areas are ones that often will attract mold, and it can be difficult to completely eradicate the mold that grows here. To prevent this, regularly check the condition of your pipes.

Clean Your Gutters

Our gutters are an area of our home that may often get neglected. Gutters direct water away from your home, and you especially need this when the foundation of your home isn’t completely level. When your gutters become clogged, cracks and fissures can form in its structure. This allows water to flow into your home, which will eventually cause mold.

Install a Sump Pump

Sump pumps are another way in which water is directed away from your home. Standing water often creates an issue in basements, and a sump pump will help to prevent this. If you already have one and still have issues with water, you may want to make sure your sump pump does not need to be repaired or replaced.

Use Exhaust Fans

Though often underutilized, exhaust fans are in our homes for a reason. The fog that collects on your mirror when you take a shower isn’t just an unwelcome annoyance that occurs when you try to blow-dry your hair. The condensation that occurs when you shower can settle into different areas of the room and can cause mold to grow. Along with your bathroom, it’s also important that you turn on the exhaust fan above your stove when cooking.

Keep Your Home Ventilated

A well-ventilated home will contribute to the prevention of mold. You don’t always want to keep the rooms in your home closed off, as this will not allow the air in your home to filter out. You can keep your home ventilated by doing the following:

• Turning on your fans

• Opening the doors of closets and bathrooms

• Opening windows when the weather allows

Pay Attention to the Carpet

It’s extremely important that you maintain your carpet if you want it to last. While you can easily remove mold from wood if the process is done properly, carpet isn’t as simple to remediate. Once mold becomes trapped in the fibers, you may not be able to remove it. If this gets bad enough, you may ultimately have to replace your carpet.

Clean Spills ASAP

If you spill any type of liquid, mop or soak it up as soon as possible. If you don’t, it can quickly sink into a material’s surface and cause mold to grow. When it comes to spills, the rule is simple—don’t neglect them.

Insulate Your Attic and Basement

Mold is extremely common in your attic and basement. These areas don’t always receive enough airflow, and they’re more susceptible to leaks. Attics are likely to catch any water that leaks through the roof or air ducts. Basements, however, collect moisture caused by cracks in the foundation of your home. Any flooding or gutter damage may also affect your basement.

Properly insulating these areas is extremely important. You should pay attention to the state of insulation and evaluate whether or not they need professional attention.

Maintenance Schedule

So, we know that proper maintenance can prevent mold, but how often should we check on and practice these routines? This all depends on what task you need to tackle. Any of the above areas should be checked on from time to time, and it’s good to know when. We provide some suggested times to check all of the points above.

• Humidity: Maintain daily

• Clutter: Clear clutter and wipe down any surfaces daily

• Leaks: Check any pipes in your home weekly

• Gutters: Inspect your gutters every three months

• Sump Pump: Check it’s in working order once a year

• Exhaust Fans: Use every time you shower or make food

• Ventilation: Open any doors in your home and let them air out weekly

• Carpet: Vacuum your carpet at least twice a week

• Spills: Clean up spills within an hour

• Insulation: Inspect your insulation once a year

Ask a Pro

One last preventative measure you can take is to have a professional evaluate whether or not you currently have any mold in your home. If you suspect that you may, give them a call— they can identify any potential problem. If you need advice regarding attic mold removal in Detroit, contact Attic Renew today.