Saturday, March 16, 2024

How To Prevent Mold In House

Cover Your Crawl Space Floor

Keeping allergens and mold out of your home this fall: 2 Wants to Know | Part 2

Groundwater seeping into crawl spaces can add gallons of moisture vapor into your house every day. The simplest defense is to cover crawl space floors with a plastic vapor barrier — 6 mil polyethylene — that traps moisture in the ground.

If you regularly crawl in your crawl space, use a heavier plastic that wont rip as easily: Some 20 mil plastic coverings are on the market.

Will Painting Concrete Prevent Mold

Many people assume that a new coat of paint will solve mold problems, but it wont. Paint cannot prevent mold from germinating in the first place. Mold is a fungus that thrives in warm, moist conditions. It can grow on almost any surface, including walls, floors, and ceilings.

Mold can also be found on surfaces that have been treated with chemicals, such as paint, carpeting, or vinyl siding.

What Are The Main Ways To Control Moisture In Your Home

Water in your home can come from many sources. Water can enter your home by leaking or by seeping through basement floors. Showers or even cooking can add moisture to the air in your home. The amount of moisture that the air in your home can hold depends on the temperature of the air. As the temperature goes down, the air is able to hold less moisture. This is why, in cold weather, moisture condenses on cold surfaces . This moisture can encourage biological pollutants to grow.

There are many ways to control moisture in your home:

Moisture on Windows

Your humidistat is set too high if excessive moisture collects on windows and other cold surfaces. Excess humidity for a prolonged time can damage walls especially when outdoor air temperatures are very low. Excess moisture condenses on window glass because the glass is cold. Other sources of excess moisture besides overuse of a humidifier may be long showers, running water for other uses, boiling or steaming in cooking, plants, and drying clothes indoors. A tight, energy efficient house holds more moisture inside you may need to run a kitchen or bath ventilating fan sometimes, or open a window briefly. Storm windows and caulking around windows keep the interior glass warmer and reduce condensation of moisture there.

Recommended Reading: Mould Bathroom Ceiling

How To Prevent Mold From Growing In Your Home

This article was co-authored by Ashley Matuska. Ashley Matuska is the owner and founder of Dashing Maids, a sustainably focused cleaning agency in Denver, Colorado. She has worked in the cleaning industry for over 5 years.There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 95% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 166,937 times.

Molds are a type of fungus that naturally grow in many places, but inside your house they can pose a health risk and negatively impact air quality. Therefore, preventing mold in your house is important for the health and safety of your family and visitors who spend time in your home. The good news is that preventing mold is quite simple, and the key is controlling moisture and humidity in your house.

How To Prevent Mold And Mildew In The Bathroom

How To Prevent Mold in Your Home: Proven Mold Prevention Tips for Homes ...

Few rooms in the home see as much moisture and humidity as the bathroom. The first step to preventing mold and mildew is making sure your bathroom stays well-ventilated. An exhaust fan will help circulate the air and remove moisture more quickly. These additional actions will help keep your bathroom fresh and mold-free.

  • Spread towels out after use so that they dry more quickly.
  • Minimize containers left in the shower for cleaning ease and better circulation.
  • Wipe down the shower with a clean towel or squeegee after its last daily use.
  • Choose shower curtains that dry and clean easily to help avoid soap residue, which fosters mold.
  • If you’re dealing with a mildewed shower curtain made of durable fabric, follow these steps for cleaning it.

  • Wash using a solution of 1/2 cup liquid disinfectant to 1 gallon of hot water.
  • Rinse with a mixture of one cup lemon juice and one cup salt to a gallon of hot water.
  • Wash with detergent and bleach .
  • Rinse with water.
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    Identify Problem Areas In Your Home And Correct Them

    You can’t mold-proof your home, but you can make it mold-resistant. Do an audit of your home: where are the problem areas? Does the basement flood? Do you notice frequent condensation on an upstairs window? Is there a water stain on the ceiling from a persistent leak? Preventing mold from growing or spreading might be as simple as ripping up carpet in a damp basement, installing mold-resistant products, or repairing damaged gutters. Or it may be a matter of major excavation and waterproofing. Whatever the case, address the problem now. It might cost some money up front, but it will surely be more costly down the road if mold continues to grow unchecked.

    Always Turn On The Bathroom Fan

    Whenever you take a bath or a shower, make sure to turn on the bathroom fan if you have one. The bathroom fan will help to disperse any extra moisture and humidity in the air that contributes to mold buildup. Leave the bathroom fan on even after you get out of the shower to make sure no extra moisture lingers.

    Read Also: How To Clean Mold On Ceiling

    Clean Your Walls And Ceilings

    As weve said many times before, mold loves moisture. It loves it so much that it will throw a party everywhere they find enough moisture and organic food. That being said, in order to prevent mold from invading your home, it is important to thoroughly check your walls and ceilings for any signs of leaks. Both high humidity level and condensation may increase your chances of having mold on your walls, so keeping control of these two components will keep control of mold.

    Start by dusting and vacuuming all the surfaces in every room. Wipe the walls and get rid of any spider web you see. If you notice any leaks, find the cause and fix it immediately. While you are at it, carefully dust your light bulbs, chandeliers and any other light source you have in your room. Remember, there is no better organic food for mold than dust.

    Properly Size Your Ac Unit

    How To Clean Mouldy & Smelly Water Bottle #Shorts

    Make sure your air-conditioning unit is properly sized for your house. If its too small, the unit will run constantly, elevating costs but not the temperature too big, and the unit will constantly start and stop, which wastes energy, too.

    Install an HVAC unit that’s just right. For guidance, call an HVAC professional or consult Energy Stars square footage/AC capacity chart.

    Recommended Reading: Can Black Mold Cause Lung Cancer

    How To Get Rid Of Mold In Closets

    If you find you have mold in your closets, there are steps you can take to get rid of it.

    You must:

  • Make sure the room is well ventilated by opening windows and circulating fans.
  • Cover your furnishings and belongings or remove them from the room.
  • Use a drop cloth to protect your flooring or carpeting.
  • Wear protective gear to avoid getting mold on your skin, in your eyes or into your respiratory system.
  • Spray the mold with distilled white vinegar. Let the vinegar sit on the problem areas for a half hour, then scrub them with a brush.
  • Rinse the area with water. Then spray it with vinegar again to prevent regrowth.
  • Let everything dry before putting your clothing and items back in the closet.
  • If your clothes and items have mold on them, make sure you wash them in the washing machine or thoroughly by hand before putting them back in the closet.

    You can also brush off the mold outside and then wash the clothing using regular detergent.

    Chapter 2 How To Prevent Mold In Bathroom

    Even though mold can grow practically anywhere, there are three areas of your home that are the most common spots for mold growth. One of them is the bathroom.

    Bathrooms tend to be very humid, and moisture is one of the main requirements for mold to grow. As such, if you want to prevent mold from growing in your bathroom, you have to pay close attention to and limit moisture in your shower and/or bathtub, sink and even towels.

    Recommended Reading: How To Get Rid Of Mold On Bathroom Ceiling

    What Can Be Affected By Mould

    • All materials containing organic substances and sufficient moisture.
    • GGlass, metal and ceramics can become mouldy if the surfaces are contaminated with organic matter. This can be a mixture of dust, shed-skin flakes, hair and fibres.
    • Wallpaper, plaster walls, paper, leather, textiles and other natural materials are particularly vulnerable to moisture.
    • Moulds fungi need increased humidity to grow, so mould predominates in areas that are covered and poorly ventilated. For example, skirting boards, cabinets and panels.

    Dry Wet Areas Immediately

    How to Prevent Mold and Mildew Infestation Easily at Home

    Treehugger / Christian Yonkers

    Mold can’t grow without moisture, so tackle wet areas right away. Seepage into the basement after a heavy rainfall, accumulation from a leaky pipe, even a spill on the carpet should be dried within 24 to 48 hours. If you’ve experienced a flood, remove water-damaged carpets, bedding, and furniture if they can’t be completely dried. Even everyday occurrences need attention: don’t leave wet items lying around the house, and make sure to dry the floor and walls after a shower. Don’t leave wet clothes in the washing machine, where mold can spread quickly. Hang them to dry preferably outside or in areas with good air circulation.

    Read Also: Clean Mold Off Basement Walls

    If You Use Bleach To Clean Up Mold

    • Never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners. Mixing bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products will produce a poisonous gas.
    • Always follow the manufacturers instructions when you use bleach or any other cleaning product.
    • Open windows and doors to provide fresh air.
    • Wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, and goggles during cleanup of affected areas.
    • If you need to clean more than 10 square feet, check the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guide titled Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, which gives advice on all building types. You can get it by going to the EPA web site at .

    Removing Mold From Exterior Home Surfaces

    Chlorine bleach is quite effective in cleaning all types of house siding, concrete, brick, and stone, but it is harmful to plants and lawns. Be sure to cover any vulnerable plants with heavy plastic sheeting.

    Mix one cup of chlorine bleach to one gallon of water. The solution can be used with a garden sprayer, power washer, or for hand-scrubbing. Always wear safety glasses, gloves, protective clothing, and a respirator. The bleach solution will cause color-loss on any type of fabric.

    Wet the moldy areas with plain water, then the bleach and water solution, and allow it to work for several minutes. If the mold lightens, move to another area. If stains remain, scrub the area and then reapply more bleach and water solution. Allow to air dry completely.

    Rinse down nearby planted areas with plain water.

    Read Also: Kill Mold On Bathroom Ceiling

    Ideal Conditions For Mold & Mildew

    High heat , humidity , and a food source create the ideal environment for mold and mildew to thrive. Thats why June-August promote mold growth more than any other months. Warm temperatures and high humidity set the stage for mold and mildew.

    There are a variety of molds found in the home including Alternaria, Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Cladosporium, Fusarium and many more. The toxic black mold associated with sick house syndrome is probably Stachybortrys chartarum. for a list of common household mold types. Regardless of the mold type you have, it is important to remove it from any living spaces, including offices, and garages.

    The good news is that there are a variety of ways to fight mold or to keep it from developing in your home entirely. Weve compiled a list of easy, proactive methods for keeping your home dry and your air free of mold and other airborne toxins.

    How To Prevent Mold In Your Home

    Wet plywood HVAC Air Conditioning Return why is there water mold how to fix moisture problems.

    You can neither prevent mold spores from entering your home , nor deprive mold of its food . Your only option is to make sure the ambient conditions in your house are not right for mold to grow:

    However practical and adequate these measures may be though, they will not have a substantial effect if there is enough moisture in your home to allow mold growth. The only way to efficiently prevent mold in the house is to control the humidity in the indoor environment.

    Read Also: How To Clean Mold Off Ceiling

    To Prevent Mold Growth In Your Home

    • Keep humidity levels in your home as low as you canno higher than 50%all day long. An air conditioner or dehumidifier will help you keep the level low. You can buy a meter to check your homes humidity at a home improvement store. Humidity levels change over the course of a day so you will need to check the humidity levels more than once a day.
    • Be sure the air in your home flows freely. Use exhaust fans that vent outside your home in the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure your clothes dryer vents outside your home.
    • Fix any leaks in your homes roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow.
    • Clean up and dry out your home fully and quickly after a flood.
    • Add mold inhibitors to paints before painting. You can buy mold inhibitors at paint and home improvement stores.
    • Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products.
    • Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried right away. Think about not using carpet in places like bathrooms or basements that may have a lot of moisture.
    • To learn more about preventing mold in your home, see the Environmental Protection Agencys book A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home at .

    How To Prevent Mold In Closets: Introduction

    No one wants mold in their home. In addition to being unsightly, it produces allergens that can cause symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, red eyes and rashes.

    It can also cause attacks in people that have asthma.

    Many people think that mold appears in bathrooms only, but it can show up in other areas of the home including closets.

    It can enter the home through doors and windows, through vents in heating and cooling systems and it can be tracked in on clothing.

    Once the spores get into your spaces, they grow quickly, particularly in humid spaces.

    While there are ways to get rid of mold, it is best to prevent it from growing in the first place.

    This article will review the steps you need to take to keep mold out of closets.

    Recommended Reading: Airborne Mold In House

    Vacuum The Carpets And Wipe The Floors

    Although carpets and rugs look beautiful, unfortunately, we often overlook the potential danger of mold growth on them. Since we can blame it on dirt and moisture, in order to prevent mold, all you have to do is clean the carpets and floors thoroughly at least once during spring cleaning.

    The old rules mandate that you roll up the rugs, then vacuum and clean the floors in every single room. Move your furniture so that you can reach every corner of your room to ensure there are no dirty or moldy places.

    If you can, leave the carpets out of your home and invest in renewing your floors and making them look shiny again. If you have vinyl or linoleum floors, you can clean them with a floor polish designed for these surfaces. Most stone and tile floors can be easily treated with a special paste or liquid wax.

    In case you have to keep your carpets, inspect them thoroughly and deep clean them before you bring them back in to ensure there is no mold on them. In addition, you need to dry them well because dirt is not the only food source for mold.

    Chapter 5 How To Prevent Mold In The Basement

    How to Prevent Mold in Your House â RISMedia

    If you dont have a basement in your house, you are in luck this is one chapter you can freely skip. But in case you do have a basement or any type of similar storage room in your building, then we strongly recommend you go through this part thoroughly.

    Mold loves dark and moist places and your basement can provide both. With that in mind, its clear that you will have to do some extra work to ensure your basement is mold free, but it is not an impossible job for sure.

    Read Also: Mold Allergy Skin Rash

    Which Types Of Mould Are There

    There are countless types of mould in our environment and new ones are constantly being discovered. When we talk about mould in the home, five types are usually meant.

    The most widespread type of mould found in a household is the green mould. The furry coating is characteristic and often occurs on food and potting compost. However, in damp rooms such as kitchens, basements and bathrooms, walls and ceilings can also be affected.

    Cold and unheated areas on ceilings and behind furniture are the favourite places of white mould. When this fungi specie is found on walls, it is often confused with salt efflorescence. In the course its growth, the white mould becomes darker and only then it is properly recognized and identified. If you notice woodlice, silverfish bug, barklice or a musty odour in your rooms, you already have proof of a moisture-laden environment. From now on if you detect spots with a whitish surface, you can assume that it is mould.

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