Even the “harmless” strains of mold must be dealt with, and that can be costly. Spotting mold is difficult, and removing it is expensive, so your best bet is to stop it from growing in the first place.
7 Tips to Prevent Mold & Mildew in Your Home
Notice evidence of mold in your home, OR have you purchased a home that experienced storm damage in years past? Schedule a home inspection to get to the bottom of it and eradicate it.
In the meantime, here are things you can do to prevent mold and mildew in your home.
1. Keep Things Dry
Mold thrives in dark, damp environments. Be proactive about keeping moisture from building up in your home.
- Schedule annual roof inspections with a local, licensed roofing professional.
- Call a plumber or roofer at the first sign of potential leaks or water damage.
- Fix your leaky pipes and faucets.
- Make sure your doors and windows are properly sealed against rain.
- Clean up spills as soon as they happen.
- Don’t leave wet clothes lying around, especially in damp areas – like your basement or laundry room corners.
Central Florida homeowners should maintain interior humidity levels between 45% and 55%. If your home struggles to maintain that balance, further investigation is needed. You may need to replace a roof, update your HVAC, or replace outdated/leaky windows and doors.
2. Invest in a Hydrometer
A hydrometer measures the humidity in your home. They are an inexpensive investment and are available at any home improvement store. As mentioned, interior humidity levels below 55% percent.
If you live in an area with particularly high humidity, consider investing in a dehumidifier or talk to your HVAC company about your options. Most modern HVACs now have humidity-regulating features that are well worth the expense if you live in our climate.
3. Ensure Your Home Has Adequate Ventilation
Poor ventilation is another way that moisture can sneak into your home. High-moisture areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms must be properly ventilated by opening a window or running an exhaust fan. Otherwise, even simple daily tasks like cooking and showering could lead to mold down the line.
4. Let the Sunshine in
Mold likes a dark, warm, and damp environment. Opening up your windows during cooler daytime hours or opening curtains, blinds, and shades to let some natural light in is enough to slow its growth. The sunshine will also help dry up moisture, eliminating both essential mold ingredients.
5. Check Grading & Drainage
Proper grading and drainage around your home can go a long way toward preventing mold. This is something to evaluate when performing a whole home inspection.
If the ground around a house is neutral — or sloped inwards — water builds up around the foundation, working its way into crawlspaces or basements.
6. Clean Your Gutters
The gutters are another vital part of your home’s defense against water. Keeping the gutters clean and well-maintained will prevent water from building up around your roof.
7. Get an Inspection
Taking a proactive, preventative approach is the best way to keep mold or mildew from growing in the first place. However, these damp-loving growths sometimes take up residence in hard-to-see or reach areas. Mold or mildew can hide behind walls, beneath floors, and up in the ceilings, and hidden mold can damage your home and harm your health whether you’re aware of it or not.
Scheduling a home inspection is the only way to ensure that your home is mold-free and stays that way. If we suspect you have mold in an area we can’t see or reach, we may use infrared technology to find it and determine the source.
Super Inspection Pros Can Help You Maintain a Mold-Free Home
Are you worried your home may have an unaddressed mold issue? The sooner you find out, the better. Super Inspection Pros can perform a home inspection, including using infrared technology if necessary, to determine whether or not mold is present.
Contact us today, and we’ll schedule an inspection in 72 hours or less. Plus, we’ll also provide additional mold prevention tips relevant to your home and property.
