Prevent Mold

How to Prevent Mold

Mold spores are everywhere. Too small to be seen, they float freely on the breeze and invade homes and buildings at will. Outside of a clean room, every building has spores in its air at all times. Most are harmless, although they can cause allergic reactions such as sneezing and watery eyes. For those who have a compromised immune system or respiratory problems, this can be a significant problem. In addition, there are also some strains of mold that are quite toxic, especially for infants and young children. For these reasons, it is always best to try and prevent mold from growing in your home.

Contrary to what some people believe, mold and mildew growth is not an indication of inadequate housekeeping. Mold can grow on virtually any surface. All that a spore needs to grow is water and some type of food. Mold is not picky about food, and can live on paint, dirt, and even the skin cells your body has shed. Scrubbing and bleaching affected areas seldom eliminates the mold, even though it might look a little better. To eliminate mold, you must kill it.

It is much easier to prevent mold than to try to eliminate it. The first step is to control the humidity in your home. If the humidity is less than about fifty percent, mold will not have sufficient moisture to grow. Dehumidifiers can help in areas of high humidity, whether occurring naturally or through the use of evaporative coolers. Bathrooms and basements are two areas where you might want to consider using a small dehumidifier.

You will never be able to remove all the spores from your home, but HEPA vacuums and air cleaners can help prevent mold by removing a large number of spores from the environment. Normal vacuums let the spores escape from the bag and scatters them more than they were before. Air purifiers trap the spores in their filters so that you can remove them with a simple cleaning.

Monitor kitchen and bathroom areas for leaks. If you notice any water accumulated or any drips, fix them immediately. Dry out the area that was dampened. If you find that mold has developed, you might consider replacing the materials, particularly if it is fiberboard or a similarly porous material.

If you are building a new home, you can help prevent mold during construction. Many builders will treat the lumber used to frame the house, along with any trim. Insulation and paint are also available that will resist the growth of mold. In addition, wool is more resistant to mold than many other fabrics, so you might want to consider wool carpeting for your home.

Serious spills on carpeting, such as an overflow from a bathtub or sink, may require lifting the carpet in the affected area to prevent mold. The padding and the floor underneath will need to be dried completely before the carpet is replaced. You can use fans to help speed up the process. If all elements are left in place, there is a chance that mold will grow underneath the carpeting.

If all your efforts to prevent mold fail and you have a major infestation, you might want to consider hiring a professional to remove the mold. They also have the tools to search for hidden areas of mold and to treat those areas once discovered.

 

 

 

 

 

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