When mold grows undetected in your home, it can be very harmful. This is because mold spores spread quickly and cannot be removed entirely. In fact, mold can grow anywhere in your home – on the carpet, food, paper, backside of drywall, or even in areas inside walls around leaking or condensing pipes. Additionally, mold damage can be costly to fix, but mold can also produce allergens and toxins that may compromise your health.
How Does Mold Grow?
Your home is at risk of mold damage the moment you introduce a significant amount of moisture or water source, such as a leaking roof or flooding. It would help if you attempted to stop mold as soon as possible because it spreads fast. Once mold has settled in your home, it will become a breeding ground for allergens and irritants that will be hazardous to your health.
Take Preventative Measures
You can start by identifying problem areas in your home and correct them. You can’t mold-proof your home, but you can make it mold-resistant. Ask questions such as does the basement flood? Is there frequent condensation on a particular window? Is there a stain on the roof from a leak? Sometimes it can be a simple method to prevent mold from growing inside your home, but if you let it continue, it will become quite expensive to remove.
Dry Wet Areas in Your Home
You need to know that mold can’t grow without moisture, so you must ensure that there are no particularly wet areas in your home. For instance, you can inspect the basement after heavy rainfall. Additionally, check if there are any leaky pipes in your home or any wet carpet areas.
Ensure Proper Ventilation
You should be aware of your daily activities and ensure that none of them can encourage the growth of mold in your home. By preparing your home for proper ventilation, you can protect your bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, and any other high-moisture area. You also need to periodically maintain and clean your air conditioner units and dehumidifiers to prevent moisture.
Maintain Proper Humidity
The EPA recommends indoor humidity between 30-60% for your homes. You can purchase a moisture meter that measures humidity to ensure proper levels. In addition, there are always signs of high humidity in your home that you can look out for, such as condensation on windows or walls. If you notice condensation, you need to dry the surface immediately and address the source of moisture.
Keep Roof Gutters Clean
A leaky roof from damaged gutters can introduce mold to your home. Because of this, it is essential to schedule regular inspections of roof gutters and have them cleaned properly. If they are damaged for some reason, you need to schedule a repair as soon as possible.
ASAP Restoration specializes in damage restoration, including mold damage. Telling one type of mold from another could be difficult, and that’s why you need to hire professional help to take care of it. Different types of mold could come in several colors, may have a similar appearance, or could be more dangerous to your health. Call us today at 480-409-5481 to set up a free home inspection.
