Mold can literally grow everywhere and are usually good. This microorganism is essential in nature because it helps in the decomposition process of organic matter. However, when mold grows undetected inside your home, it can compromise your health and even cause damage to your property that may require extensive and expensive repair. Thus, it is important to take steps in preventing mold from growing in your home. But to understand better how to prevent it from growing in your home, you must first understand what causes it to grow indoors.

What is Mold and Its Health Effects?

Mold is a form of fungus and can be found both indoors and outdoors. It forms in different colors like green, black, and white. This microorganism appears like spots and normally smells musty. According to the experts, there are more than 300, 000 kinds of molds.

When molds grow outdoors, they can cause no concerns, but when they grow in homes or any kind of properties, they can cause many health issues like sore throat, skin and eye irritation, and coughing. Furthermore, mold exposure can trigger respiratory illnesses like asthma or lung disease.

Thus, the Centers for Disease Controls, recommends that all indoor molds, no matter what type it is, should be cleaned up and eliminated. CDC also does not recommend mold testing as the effects of mold exposure differ from person to person.

What Does Mold Need To Grow

Mold needs three things to grow; food, temperature, and moisture.

Good sources of food for mold are wood, insulation, cloth, and cardboard. When the temperature inside your home ranges from 68 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, mold begins to thrive. Lastly, mold just needs a little water to grow. In fact, they can grow in areas that have a 60% level of humidity. Furthermore, they can grow as fast as 24 hours on wet surfaces or materials that have not dried out immediately.

How Does Mold Grow In Homes

Mold produces tiny spores and spread through the air. When these spores settle on surfaces with excessive moisture, they will begin to grow and multiply.

Since our homes are usually warm and contain potential food sources, there is only the need for moisture for mold to grow. However, water usually appears in homes by accidents (like a burst pipe, broken appliances, or overflowing sinks) and through natural disasters like flooding. Thus, our homes can be prone to mold growth.

Yet, the key prevention to mold growth in your home is simple; moisture control.

How To Prevent Mold In Homes

Here are the ways on how to curb moisture levels in your home and prevent molds from thriving on it.

• Identify problem areas in your home and repair them immediately to prevent moisture. 

The damage could be due to a persistent leak in walls, roof, gutters, and plumbing pipes or flooding in your basement. Inspect ceilings and walls for water stains and discoloration. Whatever the cause, make sure to address it immediately.

• Dry wet areas immediately. 

Mold grows where there is moisture, so tackle every wet area immediately. Wet areas must be dried within 24 to 48 hours. Remove and replace carpets, furniture, and beddings that have been soaked up in the water and cannot be dried immediately. If you have experienced a flood, consider hiring a restoration expert to perform thorough cleaning and drying of your property.

• Keep indoor humidity levels as low as you can. 

The EPA recommends keeping the humidity level in your home between 30-60%. You can use a dehumidifier or an air conditioner to keep the level low. You can buy a moisture meter at your local hardware store. Humidity levels in your home can change during the day, so you might need to check the humidity levels more than once in a day.  

• Ventilate appliances (outside) that produce moisture using an exhaust fan. 

Appliances like cooking, shower, dryer vent, and others can generate moisture in your home. Make sure that these appliances are properly ventilated outside (not in your attic). You can install exhaust fans in your kitchen, bathroom, and laundry area to ensure that the moisture they produce goes outside of your home.

• Direct water away from your property. 

Slope the ground around your home away from your home’s foundation to prevent water from collecting and seeping into your basement. Make drainage that directs the water away from your home.

• Clean gutters and downspouts. 

Clean and inspect your gutters and downspouts regularly to ensure that water is directed away from your home’s foundation.

• Improve air circulation in your home. 

When the temperature drops, the air can hold less moisture. Without proper air circulation, the moisture left in your home will remain in your walls, ceiling, windows, and floors. This then can cause mold growth. Open doors and windows to provide proper air circulation and reduce moisture.

• Use water-resistant building materials. 

If you are building a new home or remodeling your current home, use water-resistant materials like tile, deep-sealed concrete, waterproof wall boards, etc. In moisture-prone areas, like a bathroom or kitchen, consider using easy-to-clean and water-resistant coverings like vinyl or stone style.

• Use mold-resistant products. 

Use mold-resistant drywall or sheetrock and mold-resistant paints to prevent moisture from absorbing in your walls.

• Prevent mold growth in your household plants. 

Plants are beautiful and they can help provide clean air inside your home. But molds love them, too. To prevent molds from growing in your plants, try adding some amount of Taheebo tea to the water you give to your plants.

Contact Superior Restoration For Mold Removal Services

These tips shall help you prevent molds from growing in your home. But if you discover molds in your home, you must eliminate it immediately and contact a mold remediation company, like Superior Restoration. Our professionals are certified and equipped in remediating molds completely. Call our local office, Water Damage Lake Elsinore, for mold removal services today.