Top Mold Growth Prevention Tips

Mold prevention is very important when it comes to maintaining a healthy home. We have little temperature gauges on every floor of our house that also includes a humidity level indicator. (These are the ones I picked up from Amazon.) They work great and their battery life literally lasts for years. Earlier this year our basement hit over 50% humidity so we immediately picked up a dehumidifier from Amazon. Not just to combat mold but damp environments are also really hard on furniture etc.

(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)

Mold can strike your house at any time, but even more so during the hotter, more humid months. Furthermore, the problem with mold is that once it takes root, almost nothing short of full-fledged mold remediation can remove it from your house.

The annoying part is that you may still end up with some mold spores, waiting for another chance for all the factors to line up. When this happens, they can germinate somewhere in your house where there is an organic material, high moisture or outright water, and shade from the sun.

However, not all is lost. Here are two practical ways to prevent mold from taking root, or at least make it harder for mold spores to do so. 

Carry out moisture reduction ways

Moisture is identified as a trigger for spore germination. Be it condensed water vapor, a water leak, or even 50% humidity in the air, once a spore is on organic material, and the moisture levels are reached, there is a big chance that the spore will germinate. The trick, then, is to make sure that there is as little moisture as possible available in the house. 

• Air the house regularly. It may sound counterintuitive at some points, but it is a good idea to air the rooms in your house as much as possible. This will prevent any build-up of moisture and spores within any one area.

• Perform maintenance checks for all plumbing, roofing, other house structures and systems. Sometimes, it all comes down to how the house itself is maintained. While maintenance checks by home improvement contractors may be expensive taken as a whole, the expenses you will have if mold infestations break out in your home will make you wish that you had paid for the maintenance checks. For example, a plumber might be able to pinpoint the location of leaks, thus allowing you ample time to fix the issue before it triggers a mold bloom. 

• Check your heating or air conditioning system. Some people have reported getting the moldy smell only when they turn their heating or air conditioning systems on. If you fail to set your systems correctly, excessive moisture combined with organic materials in the vents can trigger a fungal bloom. In such a case, the whole ventilation system may have to be cleaned by a professional mold remediation team. 

• Use dehumidifiers. It would be best to consider buying a dehumidifier. You can also make one in the form of a DIY charcoal bag or the more standard mechanical dehumidifier with reverse air conditioning functions.

 Seek professional help

There is only so much you can do. If you need more help integrating all your solutions, can click to know more about mold removal. Better yet, hire a mold inspector to evaluate the condition of your residential property. Through a professional mold inspection, you’ll have an idea of what your next steps will be, and if necessary, you can obtain the services of a mold remediation company.

(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)