Mold growing in your home can cause deterioration to the structure and if it is not treated can cause a health risk as well. There are some basic guidelines that you can follow to keep your home safe and free from this risk. These actions will help prevent moisture build up and reduce the humidity that is a cause of mold.
The humidity inside your home should be kept below 60 percent. A hardware store sells a convenient and inexpensive humidity meter that you can purchase to track this. If there is condensation on a window or a wall or pipe, this means that the humidity is high and that moisture is collecting there. You should reduce the humidity and dry the surface immediately.
Some things that you can do to reduce humidity include:
ü Some appliances produce moisture and should be vented outside whenever possible. These include stoves, kerosene heaters or clothes dryers which can easily be vented outside instead of inside.
ü Air conditioners or dehumidifiers should be used whenever possible to reduce humidity, especially in tropical climates.
ü In the kitchen when you are cooking, you should use an exhaust fan or open a window for ventilation. You should do the same when running the dishwasher or hand washing dishes.
ü In the bathroom when you are showering or bathing, an exhaust fan or open window will help to ventilate the room and rid the room of excess moisture.
ü Opening windows or doors or utilizing fans to increase circulation on a humid day.
ü In the winter, cold water pipes should be covered with insulation.
Quick and Easy Tips to Prevent Mold:
ü When you have a spill that occurs indoors, it is imperative that you completely mop up the area affected immediately or within 24 hours if possible. This will ensure that the floor or other surface is completely dry so that mold will not grow.
ü If a leak is discovered under a sink or anywhere, do not hold off getting someone to repair the pipe or cause of the leak. If it is not treated and corrected immediately, it can cause long-term problems that can lead to mold or other types of deterioration.
ü Your roof gutters and downspouts should be regularly cleaned and cleared of debris especially during a rainy season. Clogged gutters can cause water to seep into roofing, siding or windows if the gutters are not free to direct the water in the correct direction.
ü It is essential that the ground slopes away from the house foundation so that water doesn’t have the opportunity to enter or collect around this area especially if there are any cracks or damage to the foundation.
ü Ensure that drain lines or drip pans from air conditioners are kept clean and unobstructed for proper water flow.
ü If water stains are found in the garage or basement, it is important to find the cause of the stain and remedy it immediately. If it is a leak, have it repaired or if it is a damaged or cracked wall, have it sealed.
If you see rust on a drainpipe in the garage or under the sink this means that there is condensation occurring on the pipe. It should be insulated to prevent condensation and the pipes should be checked for leaks. If you see mold growing on an air conditioner or furniture inside the house, it means there is high humidity and too much moisture in the air.
Sometimes mold is undetectable because it is hidden behind wallpaper, dry wall or paneling. Or it could be behind walls where pipes connect or behind furniture, inside ductwork or roofing materials. These types of mold are harder to discover but you might be alerted that something is wrong because there is a moldy smell or musky scent or creaking floors. It is important not to try to investigate on your own since exposing these areas can lead to the release of the hidden mold spores that could cause them to spread unnecessarily.
A professional should be contacted to do a mold inspection for any suspicious odors or stains or other indications of possible mold. Trying to clean or eliminate the mold problem yourself may result in your killing the mold but if it is not removed it can still cause allergic reactions and other health problems.
If you are a landlord who owns rental property, it is essential that your renters report any problem areas to you immediately. However, it would be prudent as the homeowner to make periodic inspections yourself to ascertain if there are any issues that need to be dealt with. Rental properties are particularly vulnerable since they are usually in multiple units and if there is a mold problem in one unit, it could spread easily to another unit if it is not addressed and corrected immediately.
If you are renting a house and the owner, manager or landlord does not address any problems that you have identified that could lead to mold or already have resulted in mold, you should contact your local, state or federal health officials. It is important that you get a professional to inspect the premises and do a proper investigation to ensure that there are no health problems for you or your family or those in other units that have common walls with you.
Mold can cause health problems for you and your family when they produce allergens that can cause an allergic reaction or become an irritant. Usually these symptoms are sneezing, runny noses or asthma attacks but in some cases if molds are not attacked and disposed of, they can become toxic. This is not common, however.
The key to preventing the growth of mold inside your home is controlling the moisture inside your home. If mold is discovered, it must be dealt with and remediated and the source of the problem fixed so that you do not have another recurrance of the mold.
Latest Videos of Mold inspection Guide:
home-inspection
