Mold in a home can cause serious health problems and structural damage if not properly controlled. Nevertheless, in order to maintain the health of your home, continue reading to learn exactly how mold develops and how to prevent it.
How Mold Contaminates Your Home
There are many ways mold spores can contaminate your home. They can enter your home through windows, doors, and ventilation and affect not just the home but your family and pets as well. Some of the common ways mold contaminates homes are through:
- High Humidity: Mold loves humidity. Poor ventilation in bathrooms, kitchens, and basements makes them vulnerable to mold.
- Too Much Moisture: Leaky pipes, roofs, and windows can cause mold. If untreated, stormwater or plumbing floods can cause serious mold development.
- Bad Insulation: Mold can form as a result of condensation from windows, walls, and pipes that are moist. This is especially common in homes that have little ventilation or insulation.
- Wet Carpets: Mold can develop from moist or wet carpets that are left untreated.
- HVAC Systems: If your HVAC system isn’t working correctly, mold can grow and spread spores all over your home. This leads to unwanted sickness, breathing problems, and pollutants.
How to Prevent Mold in Your Home
Mold prevention needs thorough moisture control and ventilation. Some practical mold-free housing strategies are:
- Control Humidity: Maintain 30–50% indoor humidity using dehumidifiers. In addition, ventilate bathrooms and kitchens using exhaust fans.
- Fix Leaks: Repair roof, window, and plumbing leaks immediately.
- Use Proper Ventilation: Proper ventilation is essential in all rooms, especially moisture-prone ones. Open windows, use fans, and check your HVAC system.
- Clean and Dry Damp Areas: Let carpets or other household material dry thoroughly after washing and avoid keeping damp items in laundry baskets or other hidden areas.
- Do Regular Checks: Check your home for mold, water damage, and condensation often, as well as fix problems immediately to avoid mold growth.
