Keep Mold Out!

5/5/2017 (Permalink)

1. Identify any problem areas in your home or business and correct them. Preventing any mold from growing and spreading might be as simple as ripping up any carpet that is in any damp basement, installing a mold-resistant product, or even repairing any damaged gutters.
2. Dry any wet areas immediately. Mold cannot grow without some form of moisture, so tackle any wet areas right way.
3. Prevent any moisture with proper ventilation. Make sure an activity as simple as cooking dinner or even taking a shower or doing laundry does not invite mold by providing proper ventilation in your bathrooms, your kitchen, laundry room and any other rooms with high-moisture.
4. Equip your home with any mold-resistant products. Building a new home or business or even renovating an old one? Well make sure to use mold-resistant products like mold-resistant drywall or even mold-resistant Sheetrock, and mold inhibitors for paints.
5. Monitor any humidity indoors. The EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity between 30 and 60 percent. You can measure any humidity with a moisture meter that you can purchase at your local hardware store.
6. Direct any water away from your home or business. If the ground that surrounds your home or business isn't sufficiently sloped down away from the foundation, water can collect there and seep into your crawlspace or basement.
7. Clean and repair your roof gutters if needed. Have your roof gutters cleaned on a regular basis and have them inspected for damage. Repair them if necessary, and keep an eye out for water stains after any storms that may indicate a leak.
8. Improve air flow in your home or business. Without good air flow in your home or business, the excess moisture may appear on your walls, and open doors to closets that could be colder than in the rooms they are in. Let fresh air in to reduce moisture and keep mold away.
9. Keep mold off of houseplants. They are beautiful and help keep your indoor air clean -- and mold absolutely loves them. The moist soil in indoor plants is a perfect breeding ground for mold, which may then spread to other areas of your home or business.