Mold growth can be a big problem because it easily grows anywhere in your home such as on food, carpets, paper, clothing, and even in isolated places. You can spot them at the back of a drywall, inside walls near leaking pipes, and above the ceiling. The problem is that they spread easily, and it’s difficult to eliminate them completely. Aside from that, it’s costly to fix them. They can produce allergens and irritants that can affect your health adversely.
Ways to prevent mold growth:
- Identify the areas in your home where they are starting to grow – You can do this by simply inspecting a carpet in a damp basement, repairing damaged gutters, or installing mold-resistant products. In serious situations, you may even undergo waterproofing and excavation.
- Dry damp areas immediately – Mold usually grows in places with moisture, so, make sure that all places in your home are dry. After a heavy rainfall, inspect your basement if there is stagnant water, leaking pipe, and any water spill on the carpet. Make them dry within 24 to 48 hours.
- Prevent mold growth through proper ventilation – Make sure that you don’t encourage growth of mold by doing any domestic activity without proper ventilation such as taking a shower, cooking meals, or leaving your clothes unattended in the washing machine.
- Use mold-resistant products in your home – Use Sheetrock or drywall products to resist mold, and mold inhibitors for paints. Moisture-resistant drywall is applicable in areas that are always wet like the bathroom, kitchen, basement, and the laundry room. Mold-resistant gypsum board is used to prevent absorption of moisture in wet areas to prevent mold growth.
- Monitor your indoor humidity – According to EPA, your indoor humidity should be kept between 30 and 60 percent. Follow this important advice by using a moisture meter available in local hardware stores to measure your humidity. Signs of excessive humidity include condensation on windows, walls and pipes. Once you notice condensation in the windows, turn off your humidifier immediately.
You can do this job of preventing mold growth in your home by simply following the tips mentioned above. But if you want it done perfectly without leaving a loophole for possible leftovers, then, get a professional who is licensed and skilled in this field. Search the web for a company that offers flat rate on materials and labor to save on cost of doing it.