Preventing Mold and Mildew in the Home
The presence of mold or mildew in your home could lead to you or your children experiencing serious health problems. If you are a home owner, it is essential that you follow these easy steps in order to prevent unwanted biological growth.
Do I Have Mold In My House?
Mold, mildew, and other biological growth are hardy creatures. They can grow almost anywhere, but are particularly fond of areas where there are water leaks or high humidity. If the growth is advanced, you will see structural damage, such as rotting or paint chipping. In advanced mold growth situations, individuals in your home will experience allergy symptoms, or in some cases serious respiratory problems.
Water Presence
Water is the most common cause of mold and mildew. Water enters the home in a number of ways, such as small gaps around windows and doors, through a leak in the roof, or through the foundation of the house. Water can also enter the home through piping in toilets, showers, or bathtubs.
High humidity is another cause of mildew. Every day activities that produce steam, such as cooking, drying clothing, or showering can cause steam, which leads to mildew growth. Of course, this does not mean you should avoid these daily activities. Some humidity is acceptable. The Environmental Protection Activity (EPA) says indoor humidity levels between 30% and 50% are ideal.
Where Is Your Mildew Problem?
If the mildew problem is localized i.e. isolated spots on walls, ceilings, etc., your problem might be a water leak. If the problem is more widespread, such as large areas of walls being damages, the issue is likely high humidity.
If the damage is localized, locate the water leak and stop it immediately to prevent more damage. Call a plumber to fix any damaged piping, or a contractor if the problem is a leaking roof. If you have major damage in the roof or foundation, consider hiring a contractor who specializes in mold and mildew damage.
Once the leaking pipe is fixed, dry out the area completely and work to reduce the indoor humidity of your home. Stop water leaks immediately to minimize the potential mold growth.
If there is a dirt crawlspace under your home, you need to cover it with plastic to prevent excess soil moisture from increasing the humidity levels in your home. If the dirt in the crawlspace is wet, dry it with fans before you cover it with the plastic.
Purchase ventilation fans and place them in the bathroom and kitchen to control moisture due to steam. The fans (including your clothing dryer fan) should vent toward the outside, and not into the attic. Check your dryer vent duct for any damage, and remember to clean it at least once a year. If you see damage, you’ll need to replace it with a metal duct.
Air conditioning drip pans must be kept clean, and the drain lines need to be clear and flowing correctly.
Consider consulting a professional heating and cooling contractor. A professional can check your system to ensure they operate correctly to remove humidity. It’s important to have the correct heating/cooling unit SIZE, and a professional knows if you need a smaller or larger unit for your home.
The main cause of mold and mildew in the home is excess moisture, so remember to keep unwanted water from the home! By carefully checking ducts, vents, and sealing windows and doors, you will effectively protect your family from mildew.