When it comes to finding mold in your home, it’s almost a matter of when rather than if.
Due to condensation, humidity, darkness, and other factors, about 70 per cent of all homes will have mold at some point or another.
Prevention is key if you want to increase the chances of being in the remaining 30 per cent, says Magical Restoration, a Toronto mold removal company.
Magical Restoration offered these seven useful tips to help you prevent mold from appearing in your home:
Know your enemy.
Mold thrives in humid environments, but this doesn’t mean you’ll only find it in bathrooms and kitchens. “Often the worst problems occur inside floors, ceilings, walls, and crawl spaces. There may also be airborne mold spores that are invisible to the naked eye,” says Magical Restoration.
Control your home’s moisture levels.
If your home’s moisture levels are higher than 50%, use a dehumidifier or a fan to reduce moisture. It’s also important to frequently clean and dry your washing machine, bathtub, and surrounding walls, as well as the drip pans in your air conditioner and refrigerator.
Keep water away from your foundation.
Direct rainwater and melted snow far away from your home. Install downspout extensions if your downspouts are not discharging water at least five feet away from your foundation, and make sure your eavestroughs and downspouts are cleaned often. Lastly, verify that the ground around your home slopes away from your foundation. This will help prevent flooding in your basement as well as mold growth.
Act fast.
Spilled a glass of water? Dry it right away. Took a hot shower? Turn on the bathroom fan to eliminate the steam. Experienced a minor flooding? Take care of it as soon as possible.
Don’t feed your mold.
Mold feeds on natural materials like cotton, wood, and paper. This means beds, couches, and rags and cloths are a prime breeding ground for mold. Refrain from leaving them in wet, damp, or musty areas. Even drying your clothes inside on a rack can contribute to mold.
Don’t put off a mold inspection.
The longer you put off a mold inspection, the more time mold has to damage your building and your health.
Do not assume that your home or workplace doesn’t have mold because it’s new.
Mold can appear in any building, old or new. As long as there is an area with air, moisture, and a mold food source, mold can develop.
Follow these tips consistently, and you will stand a good chance of avoiding mold from growing in your house.
However, if despite your best efforts you do notice signs of mold, contact a mold inspection company as soon as possible. (Magical Restoration offers free, same-day consultations.) Visit www.magicalrestoration.com for more information.
Special to EiEiHome by: Alain Latour
