Cold Weather Mold Prevention Tactics

Mold thrives in damp environments, and during the cold, wet winter months, these may occur more often. It’s important to make sure mold never gets a foothold in your home, and even more important to wipe out any existing colonies before they cause lasting damage to you or your home. Mold in the home can cause wood or drywall to break down, and breathing in the spores can be hazardous to your health.

When checking your home for mold, start where there is moisture. Bathrooms, basements, and laundry rooms are frequent offenders, and if you have any other places in your home that see water often, it would be wise to check there too.

If you find mold, check the size and spread of the infection before acting. It’s important to completely wipe out mold, otherwise it will keep growing back and spreading further. Some growths can be too large or difficult to completely clean by yourself, and a call to The Dry Guys may be in order.

Mold Prevention

Even better than mold eradication is mold prevention. These nine steps can help you keep mold at bay during the winter.

• Shut off or replace leaky pipes/appliance hoses. A leaky pipe can create the perfect environment for mold to thrive, so make sure to dry-out areas that are frequently wet.
• Use sealants or other moisture barrier materials. In attics or basements, make sure that the area is well-ventilated and well protected against mold or mildew.
• Check your doors. There should be no gaps or spaces that can let cold air into the house.
• Turn up the heat. In the wintertime, the cold corners of your homes can become damp and encourage mold growth.
• Keep good circulation going. Use fans, air conditioners, or windows to your advantage while washing dishes, doing laundry, cleaning, cooking, or showering. Avoid letting damp air stagnate in any part of the house.
• Clean out your gutters regularly. Dirt, water, and debris buildup make the perfect home for mold, which can easily spread to other parts of the house.
• Take care of your roof. If you think your roof may be leaking, cover and protect the area quickly until you can fix it.
• Clean regularly. Try replacing your annual ‘spring cleaning’ ideas with bi-annual cleaning rituals. Make sure to mop and wipe down surfaces regularly, and give dark corners of your house a good scrub down.
• After a burst pipe, flooding, or heavy rains, call The Dry Guys to help with any water damage.

While mold may seem like a small thing, it can pose a big and nasty problem when it gets out of hand. With a few simple precautions, you can protect your home and family from a variety of mold-generated issues, including allergies and infections.