Prevent Mold by Eliminating Moisture Inside Your Home!
The best way to prevent mold in your home is to keep it as dry as possible. Wherever you find mold growing inside a home, you will undoubtedly find a source of moisture.
Like most living things, water is an essential ingredient that mold needs to grow and thrive. When left unchecked, a mold colony can grow quickly, spreading wherever there is enough moisture, warmth and lack of bright light. The best way to prevent mold is to eliminate the source of water as quickly as possible.
As we have discussed in previous posts, mold spores are everywhere. No matter how much you clean your home, these spores will be carried inside on your clothing, on your pets’ fur, and in the air that enters your home every time you open a door or window. Your best bet to prevent mold is to limit indoor moisture as much as possible.
Prevent Mold with These Tips from Escarosa
The following list contains some of the most common ways that moisture can enter your home. By fixing problems quickly and keeping an eye on potential sources of water, you can limit the possibility of mold getting a foothold indoors. Remember: The key is to act quickly! If you can remove or eliminate wet areas within 24-48 hours, you stand a good chance to prevent mold growth.
Control the Humidity in Your Home
Living in Florida, we tend to have high humidity throughout the year. Keeping your air conditioner set to a reasonably low temperature will limit the humidity inside your home. Running a dehumidifier may be necessary in some homes to keep the relative humidity below the recommended 60%.
Install and Run Vent Fans in Bathrooms
Bathing and showering produce quite a bit of water vapor that can build up if not properly vented. Be sure all bathroom vent fans are operating properly and that all members of your family are using them.
Check Your Bathroom Sinks and Toilets
Look for leaks in cabinets under sinks in your home and around the bases of toilets. These areas tend to see a lot of use in the average home but are often overlooked.
Check Your Home Appliances
Most homes have several large appliances connected to the water supply. Washing machines, water heaters and dish washers are all potential sites for leaks. Check all supply and drain hoses periodically, and replace them if they appear dry or cracked.
Escarosa Pro Tip: Most refrigerators have a condensation pan located to catch and collect water created through the cooling process. Be sure to check and empty it regularly!
Check the Vent on Your Clothes Dryer
Drying your clothes after washing them produces a lot of moist air. If the vent that feeds this moist air outside becomes blocked with lint or otherwise damaged, the moisture can be redirected back into your home. Be sure to check the vent hose and outlet to be sure they are free of obstructions.
Clean Your Air Conditioner’s Drain Lines
As your air conditioner cools your home, it condenses the humidity in the air. This water is normally collected in a drip pan and carried outside through drain lines. However, the water can back up into your home if the line is not cleaned periodically.
Escarosa Pro Tip: To keep your A/C drain lines clean, pour a small amount of bleach in the drip pan of the air handler to decrease the potential for mold growth. And don’t forget to change the air conditioner’s filter regularly!
Check for Evidence of Roof Leaks
Periodically scan the ceiling in your home for evidence of roof leaks, which may appear areas of discoloration. These spots may show up before water actually starts to drip through the ceiling material.
Check Windows and Sills for Condensation
When it is cold outside, moisture in your home may condense on your window panes or sills. Be sure to wipe down any surfaces where moisture is present as soon as possible.
Check and Clean Your Gutters
The gutters on your roof work to collect rain and divert it away from your home. When they become clogged or damaged, gutters can actually direct water into your home or allow it to pool around your home’s foundation.
Check the Slope of Your Yard
Make sure that your yard is graded to slope away from your home’s foundation, rather than sloping towards it. This will prevent puddles and standing water that can slowly seep into your home.
Check Outside Faucets and Hoses
Check outside faucets and garden hose connections for leaks. Malfunctions in these areas often allow moisture to seep into the wall cavity. Even a small leak can cause major damage if it is overlooked for a long period of time.
Call Escarosa Cleaning and Restoration if You Detect Mold!
By limiting the amount of moisture in your home, you can prevent mold from damaging your house and belongings. If you see or smell any signs of mold, give us a call right away! Escarosa Cleaning and Restoration is state certified in mold remediation and can explain all of the options and necessary steps.
