Mold can spread quickly and invisibly. It can grow on paper, clothing, carpets, foods, and in places you can’t see, like above ceiling tiles, areas inside walls where there are condensing or dripping pipes, and the backside of the drywall. Moreover, molds are hard and costly to fix and can produce irritants and allergens that may compromise and affect your health.
The best thing you can do if you’re that concerned about molds growing in your house is to prevent them before they become a headache that can create structural problems and health issues. As we go ahead, we’ll walk you through simple tips to shield your house and family from molds.
How to Protect Your Home From Molds
Homeowners shudder at the idea of having molds growing around their houses. Thankfully, there are plenty of easy precautions you can practice to ensure your home is mold-free regardless of the season. Here are five ways to keep your home protected from molds.
1. Shut the doors and windows when AC is on
When doors and windows are open while the AC is running, you waste money, invite humid air into your cold house, and let the air conditioning escape. This will result in condensation, which molds love. Keeping the windows and doors shut when the AC is humming can help prevent condensations inside your house.
2. Look for standing water
If the air conditioning unit is not the issue, look for chronic dampness or standing water inside your house that increases humidity and gives way for the mold to thrive. Look for moisture or puddles around hot water tanks, basement doors, freezers, sump pumps, and windows.
Mold growth can indicate water damage, so do not hesitate to employ remediation specialists to repair the issue and prevent more damage. You may visit their website for more info on their services and rates.
3. Control indoor climate
Mold issues usually emerge during the summer, when everyone is tempted to utilize the air conditioner. Unfortunately, the air conditioner will not dehumidify your air efficiently when setting the thermostat very high. Setting it too low will make cold surface areas, which can cause condensation.
Setting the thermostat at about 75-78 degrees F can prevent moisture issues and maximize energy efficiency. Furthermore, if you discover molds in your home after a fire incident, they might have sprung up due to fire damage. Call skilled contractors that specialize in cleaning after a fire to attend to the issue and keep your house protected from any more damage.
4. Eliminate clutter
Look around your home and check if there are clutters or too many unneeded things. If there are, try to minimize or remove the ones that aren’t required inside. Clutters can block the airflow and prevent the HVAC system from efficiently circulating. In addition, draperies or other things that block supply grilles can trigger condensation. This dampness can make microclimates inside your home that can feed and invite mold.
However, if it’s a bit late to prevent molds in your home as they have already started growing everywhere, it’s the right time to call mold removal experts to keep the situation from becoming worse. If you want to do the job of eradicating the molds, take time to read the necessary mold removal guidelines to ensure your safety during the procedure.
5. Never dry clothes indoor
While it might look tempting to put your clothing on a radiator or clothes horse to dry them indoors, the moisture from the clothing will evaporate and settle on the walls and ceiling without proper ventilation. If you can’t afford a tumble dryer in your house, open all your windows and doors when airing your clothes.
