Mold growing undetected in your home can produce irritants and allergens — and, in rare instances, toxins, which can imperil your family’s respiratory health.
The easiest method of preventing mold growth in your home is through moisture control. Wherever moisture lingers, mildew and mold spores may begin to grow.
#1 — Mold Inspection Before Move-In
Whether buying a new home or a previously owned property, prospective home buyers should get a professional mold inspection before purchasing a home. Some buyers believe that because it is a new home, there is no possibility of mold growth. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Mold can start growing on 2” x 4” or 2” x 6” wood used for framing. Most contractors will not dry framing materials after rain and before use. Whereas this might be rare in SoCal, Nevada, and Arizona, it is highly likely in areas like Washington State and Delaware with persistent rain or mist, and in Florida, Georgia, and Hawaii with relative humidity levels at 70 percent or more.
Most contractors use drywall and gypsum board that is mold-resistant in areas of the house where moisture is probable. However, most only use it in the bath or laundry room, and rarely used in other places due to the expense.
Throw rugs in the bath should be washed and aired out frequently. House plants should get monitored for mold and mildew in the potting soil. When you spot mold in a house plant, use When building a new home or renovating an old house, use mold-resistant drywall as much as possible to avoid the chance of mold growth. Moreover, you should add a coat or two of mold-resistant paint. Once again, the best method of prevention is moisture control. When you identify and eliminate moisture buildup, you can effectively prevent mold growth.
#2 — Home Repairs & Improvements
Improper drainage around your home can lead to rainwater sitting against the foundation or even in crawlspaces. Although hiring a structural engineer and contractor to design and create a drainage system around your home can be expensive, it might be the best method to control moisture.
However, when you cannot afford to rectify the drainage problem, you might need to waterproof the basement and use mold-resistant products such as sheetrock to reduce the spread of mold into your home.
Cleaning rain gutters and making sure downspouts carry rainwater away from your home is essential.
#3 — Proper Heat & Air Conditioning
Suitable heat and air within your home will reduce the chance of mold growth. Cold air holds less humidity than hot air, and air conditioners must work harder in high humidity.
Therefore, when your air conditioner is not working correctly, or the area is too large for the air conditioner, performance gets restricted, and moisture will accumulate. What’s more, when your air conditioner is too large for the area it is meant to cool, it cannot remove moist air as easily. A too-large air conditioner will run for a short period and then shut off before it has a chance to extract the moisture from your home.
Hence, it is essential to use the right size air conditioner or HVAC for your home to control humidity. The opposite is true for heating. Low moisture caused by high heat and no ventilation can cause eye and throat irritation. Therefore, installing a whole-house humidifier/dehumidifier can help control your home’s air quality and your family’s respiratory health.
#4 — Monitor Air Quality
Maintaining the relative humidity between 35 and 50 in your home is ideal. Using a multi-sensor smart home environment app and its display is the ultimate way to monitor your home’s humidity and temperature in various rooms around your home. You can monitor these readouts on your smart cellphone and adjust conditions from anywhere to help prevent mold growth.
#5 —Humidifiers, Dehumidifiers, & Proper Ventilation
Being able to monitor the temperature and relative humidity in your home is not enough. When you know the humidity is too high, if you do not have a dehumidifier to eliminate some of the moisture, the information is worthless. Talk to an HVAC technician about installing a humidifier or dehumidifier depending on your home’s most prevalent conditions.
Routine home activities such as cooking, showering, and laundry could cause mold growth. Proper ventilation will discourage mold and mildew growth. Installing exhaust fans in the kitchen, bath, and laundry room where none exists will keep moisture to a minimum. Make sure these fans exhaust outside and not into an attic or basement.
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