Four Steps You Can Take To Prevent Mold In Your Home
Mold infestation is a rather common problem with most houses. This is because the primary cause of it is moisture, which cannot be entirely removed from any home. Regardless of that, there are steps you can take to control the moisture in your home and reduce the chances of having a mold infestation.
To avoid having problems that force you to call mold removal Sydney, here are a few steps you can take.
• Monitor The Humidity Of Your Home:
Humidity is a measure of dampness or moisture content in the air. If the humidity in your home is too high, you are likely to have issues with mold. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor humidity between 30 - 60% is ideal for preventing mold growth.
You can get a moisture meter from most hardware stores to help keep track of your home’s humidity. Another way to identify high humidity is to look out for moisture condensation on surfaces like pipes, windows, and walls.
• Maintain Good Airflow:
When the temperature drops, the air loses its ability to hold moisture. This moisture, in most cases, condenses to on surfaces. When this condensation happens outdoors, there is usually no issue. However, when indoors, it can condense on your floors and walls creating an enabling environment for mold to grow.
The best thing to do to prevent this is to aerate your rooms properly. Make sure furniture does not lie on the wall as that can create damp spots too. Letting air circulate the room is critical to reducing moisture and preventing mold growth.
• Dry Wet Areas As Soon As You Notice:
Any kind of wet area, especially if it is dark and warm, can accommodate mold growth. This means you’ll have to be on high alert for roof leakages, leaky pipes, and water spills. If your home gets flooded, make sure to dry all affected materials properly. If there’s any difficulty drying them, you may be better of changing them altogether.
Water spills on carpets and furniture are a notorious cause of mold infestations and can go unnoticed for a long time. Any spill on a carpet or furniture should be dried within 48 hours to prevent mold growth.
• Identify Potential Problem Areas:
No matter how hard you try, certain areas of the home will remain more likely to have mold infestations than others. As you might have rightly guessed, these are areas that typically contain high moisture air or water.
Bathrooms and Kitchens require constant drying and cleaning to avoid mold growth. If your basement gets flooded, that’s also a point of concern. Anywhere water passes through your home is a potential mold spot due to condensation and should be given special attention during routine clean-ups.
Conclusion
Fighting mold can be a very messy business. If left unchecked for too long, it can also result in extensive damage to your property. As with many other problems, taking preventive measures is essential when dealing with mold infestations.
