Mold and mildew can be a nuisance to say the least. Not only does it look and smell awful, but it can also cause respiratory-related health issues. Once you have a mold issue on your hands, it’s vital to mitigate the issue as soon as possible so that it doesn’t escalate. It goes without saying that you should do everything possible to prevent an outbreak altogether. In this article, we’ll discuss how to keep your home mold and mildew-free.
As we mentioned, mold can be more than just an eyesore – it can also be a health risk. An outbreak won’t go away on its own. It will continue to intensify until it’s professionally mitigated. As soon as you notice the signs of mold or mildew, you need to isolate the situation promptly. If you don’t, you might experience the following symptoms of mold exposure:
While it’s difficult to get a mold outbreak under control once it starts, preventing one from occurring at all is actually quite easy. Follow these simple steps to avoid mold and mildew.
Your home should have at least a five-degree slope away from your home around the entire perimeter. This allows water to flow away from your home during rain or snow. Homes that don’t have a proper slope are more likely to experience flooding which inevitably leads to mold and mildew.
Some areas of the home are more prone to mold than others. Think of the high-moisture rooms in your house – the bathroom, laundry room, kitchen, and basement. These areas tend to be damp more than any other part of the house. Since moisture is a key environmental factor for mold growth, you can imagine that these areas tend to see the most mold. Keep these problem areas in mind while combating mold.
Mold thrives in humidity. This can be a major problem if you already live in a high-humidity climate. Keeping the moisture levels down in your home will help you prevent an outbreak. You can do this by using the vent in your bathroom after a shower, using a dehumidifier, and allowing proper ventilation throughout the home. Cracking open a window may help.
Did you know that mold can start to grow 24 - 48 hours after water damage occurs? Time is of the essence when combating mold. As soon as you notice a leak –no matter how small– address it right away. This will allow you to dry out the area and prevent mold and mildew from taking hold.
Carpet is a magnet for mold spores – especially in high-moisture areas such as your basement. If you experience a flood and you have carpet flooring, you’re even more likely to experience an outbreak. Eliminate this risk factor to avoid mold and mildew. Go for a material such as epoxy for your flooring instead.
Remember those problem areas we talked about earlier? If you want to be extra proactive about mold prevention, you can choose to purchase specialized mold-killing cleaning products to disinfect these areas. They will kill the spores before they even have the chance to cause any issues.
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