Concerned about how to prevent mold growth in your home? This article has all the info you need to make sure your bases are covered. We’re going to lay out the do’s and don’ts for preventing mold growth in your home. This includes strategies for reducing humidity, using mold-resistant materials, and more!
Read to the end of this article to find out what exactly you should be able to expect from a professional mold inspection. Let’s get right into it!
Controlling Moisture: Tips for Preventing Mold Growth in Your Home
Seasons change, but one thing doesn’t… moisture! This is the culprit in most moldy situations and can strike at any time of the year. The risky spots in your house can change from season to season. This is as moisture manifests itself in different spots. Let’s take a look at the most problematic areas during the warmer and cold months.
Summer
When it comes to air quality, ionizers, and air purifiers are two options that homeowners often consider. However, it’s recommended to consider both technologies. Air purifiers physically draw in air through a filter. On the other hand, ionizers release negatively charged ions to remove irritants from the air.
Many homeowners are unaware of this potential problem. With that, it’s important to insulate your attic from any warm and moist air that may arise from the interior of your home. Sealing any possible air leaks and ensuring proper ventilation is important. You can prevent mold growth and protect your home while you’re away.
Winter
Mold growth is a problem that most people associate with warmer weather, but it’s a year-round issue. Winter, in particular, can create the perfect conditions for mold to grow in your home. The combination of higher moisture levels and increased indoor heating can create a mold invasion that goes unnoticed.
Have you ever heard of ice dams? They’re a sneaky problem that can cause issues during the winter months. It’s essential to remove snow or check your roof’s conditions after a heavy snowfall to prevent any problems. When the snow melts, it can get trapped in gutters by ice and find its way into the attic area.
If there are any existing holes or other openings in your attic area, water will only make them worse. Moisture buildup inside the attic can go unnoticed for too long. People often don’t discover a mold problem until it’s too late to treat it alone.
Ideally, your attic should be insulated from any warm and moist air rising from the interior of your house. Sealing any possible air leak spots and ensuring proper ventilation can also go a long way toward preventing mold growth.
Improving Ventilation: How to Reduce Humidity and Prevent Mold
Have you ever seen mold growing in your home? It’s not only gross-looking, but it can also be dangerous for your health. That’s why it’s essential to deal with any mold issues right away. When the spores from mold travel through the air, we unknowingly breathe them in.
These spores are called mycotoxin, an airborne toxin produced by many mushrooms and molds. This can cause unexpected health problems like coughing, headaches, and other sicknesses, which is why you should have your air conditioning and heating systems checked to make sure the filters are effective and clean.
If you or someone in your household has asthma or other similar conditions, they are even more susceptible to complications from breathing in mold spores. So, make sure to keep an eye out for any signs of mold growth in your home and take action as soon as possible to keep yourself and your family safe.
Mold-Resistant Materials: Choosing Building Materials to Prevent Mold Growth
Sure, there are certain products to buy and habits you can adopt that will help alleviate mold growth, but there’s no replacement for conscious construction. Wood, carpet, drywall, ceiling tiles, and more can lend themselves to some unfortunate situations when combined with moisture.
Instead, what else could you use instead to protect your home at the most basic level? Several building materials are better for preventing mold buildup in houses:
- Moisture-resistant drywall: Also known as green board or blue board, this type of drywall has a moisture-resistant paper facing that helps to prevent mold growth.
- Cement board: Made from cement and fiberglass mesh, cement board is a durable and moisture-resistant building material that is often used in areas where moisture is a concern, such as bathrooms and kitchens.
- Porcelain or ceramic tile: These materials are non-porous and do not absorb moisture, making them ideal for use in bathrooms and other areas where moisture is common.
- Metal studs: Unlike wood studs, metal studs do not provide a food source for mold and are not susceptible to rot, making them a good choice in areas where moisture is a concern.
- Closed-cell foam insulation: This type of insulation is resistant to moisture and helps to prevent air leaks, which can contribute to mold growth.
Regular Inspections and Maintenance: Preventing Mold Before It Starts
A high-quality, professional-grade mold inspection can help you sleep better knowing you haven’t missed anything hiding in the nooks and crannies. The process for a true inspection covers every base:
Moisture detection equipment, such as a moisture meter or thermal imaging camera, is used to identify areas of moisture buildup that may be contributing to mold growth. Air samples are taken to measure the concentration of mold spores in the air.
Finally, surface samples are taken to identify the type of mold that is present and to determine the extent of the mold contamination. Testing may be conducted to identify the source of the moisture that is contributing to mold growth. This may include testing for leaks, humidity levels, or ventilation issues.
A detailed report is then prepared that outlines the findings of the inspection, including the extent of the mold contamination, the type of mold present, and any recommendations. A remediation plan is developed from this report that outlines the steps that need to be taken to remove the mold and prevent it from returning. This may include recommendations for cleaning, repairs, or upgrades to the property.
It is important to note that a high-quality, professional-grade mold inspection should be conducted by a certified mold inspector. Moreover, a qualified environmental professional with experience in mold inspection and remediation!
When Do You Need Professional Mold Removal?
You might not know you have a mold problem, to begin with. As soon as you know, it’s important to find out how dire the situation is. This can balloon into a much larger problem. this is if the mold has made its way into HVAC systems, your lungs, or small spaces that are difficult to deal with.
Compleat has extensive experience in dealing with mold breakouts in homes. Simply killing the mold isn’t enough, as dead mold still can continue to spread illness. Compleat’s trained mold remediation crews have the knowledge, tools, and safety equipment to permanently eliminate mold in your home. This includes drying and containing the area and strong remediation – such as HEPA vacuuming and physically removing all affected materials.
Contact us or visit our mold removal page to learn more, read reviews, and get to the bottom of solving your mold problem.