Mold’s natural purpose as a fungus is to facilitate the natural decomposition process. Mold in a home can result in significant property damage. It may also cause health symptoms in a home’s occupants. Prevent mold growth in the home from becoming a problem by following a few strategic tips.
What It Takes to Prevent Mold Growth
Mold can grow in a wide range of environments. You may find it growing on a fence outside your home or under your sink or inside your walls. The most essential element required for mold to thrive is moisture. Increased mold growth is often attributed to events involving volumes of water, such as a flood from a severe storm or a plumbing leak. However, mold can survive on moisture from the air, so any humid environment is at risk for mold. To prevent mold growth in the home, target the moisture that mold needs to grow.
Use Ventilation Features
Your home is likely equipped with ventilation fans in the kitchen, laundry room, and bathrooms. These fans are designed to pull moisture out of the home and directly reduce humidity levels. The HVAC system also reduces moisture in the air. If you’re concerned about preventing mold growth in the home, run your ventilation fans and use the HVAC system even on temperate days.
Focus on Your Plumbing System
Dripping faucets, leaking pipes, damaged hot water heaters, and leaky toilets introduce water into the home. Even the smallest leak should be repaired and steps should then be taken to dry the area thoroughly. Moist surfaces like saturated drywall may require professional remediation or even full replacement. Mold growth is more likely when surfaces remain wet for an extended time or when the indoor humidity level is high.
Improve Cleaning Habits to Prevent Mold Growth in the Home
Before mold grows and is visible, it may become established on different surfaces of your home. Cleaning regularly helps to remove mold spores before they grow. When mold spores become airborne, it can spread easily throughout the home. Cleaning and removing spores as soon as possible helps prevent mold growth in the home.
Conduct a Mold Inspection
While do-it-yourself mold tests are available, professional testing is more accurate and reliable. Whether you have identified a suspicious substance or you simply want to determine if mold is an issue in your home, conducting a mold inspection periodically is important. This allows you to treat the mold early and to prevent mold growth in the home from becoming more widespread.
Take thoughtful steps to prevent mold growth and to discourage the spread of mold in your living spaces. Use these tips to safeguard your home, family, and belongings from the dangers of mold.
AAA Home Inspections offers mold testing in addition to other home inspection services in Central New Jersey. Contact us to schedule your appointment.