Do you have molds at home? Even if you don’t see any, are you certain that there is none hiding in your drywall and other spaces?
Molds are one of the most prevalent concerns homeowners in the United States face. Millions of homes have molds, regardless of whether the homeowners are aware or not.
These molds are common concerns for homeowners living in wet areas. There are about a dozen kinds of molds that can affect your home. Some pose more health hazards than others.
Since prevention is better than cure, you need to intensify your mold prevention.
Continue reading below as we give you some of the most effective tips that will help you keep those pesky molds at bay.
The Impact of Molds
Before we discuss the tips, let us first look at the impact of molds in homes. Molds are a type of fungus that practically grows almost everywhere. Essentially, they help break down organic materials such as leaves, plants, and wood.
When they grow on wood like your cabinets, they produce spores. These spores are responsible for the change of color of your cabinets. The colors can be green, yellow, white, or orange.
The black ones are the most dangerous.
People who inhale these spores may suffer from different kinds of diseases. The most common effect of inhaling molds is allergies. You may experience coughing, sneezing, and itchy eyes.
If things become worse, you may lead to sinusitis or a severe asthma attack.
Furthermore, black molds can cause more serious health problems. Inhaling their spores can lead to neurotoxic effects. These molds and mildews can damage your nervous tissues.
When this happens, you may experience visual problems and other neurological issues.
Additionally, prolonged exposure to dangerous molds can lead to internal organ damage. Some cases even lead to cancer.
Mold Prevention Tips for Your Home
With the dangers molds can bring in your home, you need to take mold prevention seriously. Here are nine of the most effective tips that will help keep your home mold-free.
1. Identify the Potential Breeding Grounds
The key to beating molds is to understand what is important to them: moisture. Thus, you need to identify the different areas in your home that may serve as their breeding grounds.
Give your home a closer examination. Do you experience flooding in your basement? Do you have a nagging leak on your ceiling that causes water stain?
Do you notice condensation on your windows upstairs? These are signs that water is seeping inside your home. Find out the source of the moisture and fix it accordingly.
Better yet, get an inspection by hiring a professional.
2. Check Humidity Levels
You need to learn how to check your home’s humidity levels. Since moisture is what keeps molds alive, you need to stay on top of indoor moisture.
Invest in a hygrometer to measure the moisture levels. You want the humidity at 60% or below. Also, keep your windows open when taking a shower.
3. Don’t Leave Damp Clothes Lying Around
A simple thing as leaving your damp clothes lying around the washing machine can contribute to mold growth. Hence, take out the clothes from the machine and transfer them to the drier after the washing cycle.
If you do not have a drier, hang your wet clothes and towels to dry immediately after washing.
4. Invest in Mold Inhibitors
There are products available in the market, which you can use to control mold formation. Whether you are renovating an old home or building a new one, get some mold-resistant drywall of Sheetrock.
You can also look for mold inhibitors for your paint. Unlike traditional drywall, the mold-resistant variant is paperless. This makes the drywall’s surface water-resistant.
Use this kind of drywall in your bathroom, kitchen, basements, and other areas that have high exposure to moisture.
5. Maintain Your Gutters
Moving over to your home’s exterior, make sure your gutters are in great working condition. The key to preventing mold formation is by keeping water away from your home.
When your gutters malfunction, water may creep inside your house. When the water reaches your ceiling, it may cause leaks sooner or later. If you see that your gutters sustain damages, repair them immediately.
Inspect your gutter regularly and keep them clean and free of any debris. You want the water to flow freely and away from your property.
6. Plastic Sheets Work
When it comes to your crawl spaces, make sure to put plastic sheets on the floor. Moisture coming from the ground rises up and reaches the dirt floor. When this happens, molds may start to grow.
Placing plastic sheets will keep the moisture at bay. But you need to dry out the area first using your fans. After drying the area, apply the plastic sheets accordingly.
7. Use Filters
Mold spores do not only stick to wood, but they can also fly freely in the air. To address this, run your filters or air purifiers. Do this in your basement, bathrooms, and attic.
When choosing filters, make sure you go for the HEPA filters. These are the ones that can eliminate around 99% of air impurities.
8. Improve Indoor Airflow
Another key to mold prevention is improving your indoor airflow. Poor airflow will lead to excess moisture. This moisture may end up in on your windows, floors, and walls.
Make sure to move some of your furniture away from the wall. Also, open your closets and let the fresh air in.
9. The Sun is Your Friend
Last but not least, let the sun’s rays illuminate your home. Molds love dark and damp areas. Thus, open all curtains so natural can come in and heat up your home.
Additionally, change your drapes and curtains with lighter ones during summer.
Cover All Bases
Improving your mold prevention efforts will go a long way in keeping your home safe. By beating molds early on, you are securing the health of your family while maintaining your home’s beauty.
However, you need to cover all bases. Check out our different articles and blog posts. We home improvement tips to protect your home’s structural integrity and increase its overall value.
