Preventing and Protecting Against Mold
Mold ruins more than just bread and cheese! When mold makes a home in your carpets, walls, or grout, it can wreak havoc on your household. Mold is responsible for odors, allergies, and even severe illnesses. In children, prolonged exposure to mold spores leads to an increased likelihood of asthma and allergies.
For that reason, it’s best to eliminate colonies before they get a foothold, and prevent further mold growth in your home. Hot, humid summers or water intrusion can make that a bit difficult, but here’s some tips on how to nip problems in the bud.
Reduce Humidity
Humidity is the primary cause of mold. In fact, some forms of mold can grow in cold conditions, as long as there’s moisture present. Your bathroom, kitchen, and laundry rooms are placed places that frequently see water, steam, and heat.
Make sure these areas of your home have proper ventilation, and open windows while cooking or showering. If your windows, tile, or mirrors start collecting water, it’s a sign that it’s too humid. Buying a dehumidifier can also cut down on humidity if you don’t have proper ventilation in these areas. If you open windows, make sure to close them if the weather outside gets misty or muggy.
Choose Household Plants Wisely
Some houseplants can worsen humidity problems in your home. If you like having greenery around the house, or plan on sprucing up your living space with some potted plants, make sure to choose and place them wisely. Rooms with low ventilation and high humidity shouldn’t have certain plants in them.
Some plants can actually help with humidity problems by absorbing the moisture from the air. These are safe to have in any room, and they make great decoration. Examples include:
- Boston Fern
- English Ivy
- Peace Lily
- Tillandsia
- Reed Palm
Repair & Maintain Appliances/Pipes
When appliances leak water, they encourage mold growth. When they contain water, there’s a chance they’re breeding mold. If you have leaky pipes, broken hoses, and old appliances, it’s vital that you repair and maintain them. Unclean air conditioners can blow mold spores through the house, and leaky pipes and appliances can cause water damage and mold infestations.
Once you’ve taken care of your ventilation, plants, and appliances, you should be off to a good start. With regular carpet and upholstery cleanings, your furniture, rugs, and flooring can stay clean and mold-free. If mold does appear, The Dry Guys can help get rid of mold for a healthy home. Contact us anytime for a complementary estimate.