10 Mold Prevention Tips for Your Home 1. Ensure that all kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are clean and that they vent directly outside the home. Moisture mold prevention tips If you have a large water spill or a water leak indoors, make sure that you have all affected surfaces and items dried within 48 hours of the initial spill. Slope the ground surrounding your home away from the house foundation to keep water at bay. Clean regularly Cleaning and vacuuming regularly will help remove possible sources of mold growth. Preventing mold in the first place is usually much easier and much more affordable. Add mold inhibitors to paint or buy anti-fungal paint. The basic rule is: if you can see or smell mold, eliminate the excess moisture, then clean and remove any mold. Use dehumidifiers (or reduce your use of humidifiers). Water — Very little is needed. Virtual Assessment, Montreal, QC Even though mold can grow practically anywhere, there are three areas of your home that are the most common spots for mold growth. Ontario, Canada The main problem is that mold spores are easily spread through ventilation and foot traffic through the home. Mold is most common during the spring and summer months, but it can grow year-round from appliances, roof leaks and other areas with excess moisture. Tip Against Mold: Moisture is the Enemy Toxic black mold can […], PuroClean Provides Coronavirus Cleanup Services. Regardless of the circumstances — dealing with mold, water damage, fire/smoke damage, or biohazard remediation — call your local PuroClean office, the Paramedics of Property Damage®. This type of mold requires either standing water or a relative humidity of 90 percent or more; therefore, black mold prevention is all about preventing water buildup in the home. One of our goals is to ensure that you have knowledge to prevent mold from growing in your home or business. While you cannot always prevent mold, there are many things you can do to reduce the likelihood of a household mold problem from developing. Don’t worry, we have some tips for keeping mold at bay in your home. Pay particular attention to tips number 2, 3, 7, and 10! Mold Prevention Plan First things first, mold can be caught before it spreads with mold prevention treatment. Mold will begin growing within 24 … When the outside air is drier than the inside, ventilation allows the dry air to enter, take up … Learning and understanding how to prevent mold in your kitchen will bring you a step closer to having a healthy life and a happy home. Mold can really have disastrous effects on your home and health, so to help you prevent any future headaches, here are a couple of mold prevention tips to help you and your family. Along with the bathroom, the kitchen is also often the target of mold attacks. There are many ways to help control moisture and prevent mold growth in your home. Getting through mold infestation is worrisome and time-consuming. Building a new home or renovating an old one? Mold Prevention Tips Mold infestations are one of the most frustrating things that homeowners have to deal with, as it has a negative impact on indoor air quality and is incredibly common. Avoid sending mold spores into the air and throughout the house by first taking fabric and upholstery that's mobile outside. Follow these mold prevention tips to avoid this nasty fungus in your property. To decrease mold growth, you need to start by eliminating all sources of moisture. That said, mold prevention is key. Toss! In moisture-prone areas, consider easy-to-clean, water-resistant floor coverings, such as vinyl or stone tile. Prevent mold growth on indoor plant soil by adding a small quantity of Taheebo tea to the water you give to the plants. Temperature — Mold thrives in the range of 68°F to 86°F (the same range we typically keep our homes). Cleaning, disinfecting and drying surfaces prevents mold growth. Mold Prevention Tips. Crawl Space Mold Prevention Tips. They added, “Generally, it is not necessary to identify the species of mold growing in a residence, and the CDC does not recommend routine sampling for molds.” Since all molds have the potential to cause allergic or allergic-like symptoms in people, especially sensitive individuals, you should eliminate them as soon as possible. We strongly recommend that you start with the basics (Chapters 1 and 2), after which, you can either continue chapter by chapter or, if you are too busy, skip ahead to specific sections. By cleaning regularly, you’re also more likely to notice signs of mold growth such as wall discoloration, black spots and water stains (see more below). Protect yourself. Your Mold Guideline! If you rebuild or remodel, use water-resistant building materials, such as tile, stone, deep-sealed concrete, waterproof wallboard, water-resistant glues, etc. Mold Prevention Tips When water leaks or intrusions occur, act quickly! Mold Treatment. But what you can do is ensure that the concentration of mold spores in your indoor air remains minimal. Made in Canada. Have your HVAC system inspected annually by a certified technician. Preventing mold requires removing its source: moisture. Published: August 20, 2018 Updated: January 31, 2020, Written by: John Ward Account Executive Mold Busters, Fact checked by: Charles Leduc CPI, CMI, CMR Mold Busters, Customer Service: Mold loves dark and moist places and your basement can provide both. Eliminate Clutter. Quebec, Canada Top 15 Mold Prevention Tips to help maintain the highest quality living environment for your home. Furthermore, the CDC recommends that all indoor molds be eliminated. Our certified, professional technicians understand and apply industry standard approaches to remediate mold completely. That’s why mold prevention should be a priority for any homeowner. Tips for controlling moisture There are several things you can do every day to reduce moisture, prevent mold and improve indoor air quality: Maintain indoor humidity levels (RH) between 30% and 50%. Top 10 Tips To Prevent Mold In Your Home! We strive to keep the information up to date, so make sure you check back from time to time for the latest news and updates. Make sure your HVAC drip pans are clean and flow properly. But in case it is not, consider re-thinking the purpose and functionality of all the things you keep there. Whether you’re the occupant or a good landlord, knowing what causes mold and how to prevent it will save you a lot of time and money from potential remodelling you would have to do later. And the sooner you start protecting your home from the effects of these harmful fungi, the sooner you can ensure good health for you and your family. After a flood, all wet areas in your home must be cleaned and dried within 48-72 hours by a water damage restoration expert. Do NOT use fans if mold already exists. Provide drainage to direct water away from your home. Mold and mildew spores are present in any environment! Take it out! Any higher and you probably have a moisture problem, not to mention, a mold problem. Water leaks, high humidity and condensation all provide moisture that allows mold to grow. Anything that was wet with flood water and can’t be cleaned and dried out completely within 24 to 48 hours should be taken outside. These 9 tips from a South Florida mold removal expert can help you avoid the need to call a mold removal company. Click Here To Find Your Local PuroClean Office, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says, 10 Frequently Asked Questions about Mold in Homes. Check for Leaks Regularly One of the simplest things you can do to prevent mold is to check for water leaks regularly. Keep indoor humidity at 30-50% by using a dehumidifier, air conditioner or by opening windows and … You can also use HEPA vacuum cleaners to clean air vents and musty areas in the home that might contribute to mold growth. Without waterproofing your basement, simply removing mold will only be a temporary solution. The truth is, a few simple adjustments to your home maintenance routine can make all the difference when it comes to preventing mold in your crawl space. In a best-case scenario, your bedroom will be the room with the least furniture, leaving enough open space for air to flow. Use mold-resistant paint, drywall, and sheetrock to prevent moisture absorption in your walls. Below are a few strategies to keep in mind that will help prevent mold from growing in your room: For rooms that have heating and ventilation control, set the thermostat between 68 – 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the vintage wallpaper, but upgrade that time- and money-draining retro thermostat to... 3. Relative humidity (RH) is a measure of the amount of moisture in the air relative to the maximum amount the air can hold at that temperature. Discolouration of walls, floors or ceilings, Peeling, bubbling, or cracking of paint or wallpaper. Spray or brush on the solution, let it sit 10 minutes, then rinse it off and let dry. Mold, especially the toxic kind, can compromise a building’s structural integrity and threaten the health of its occupants. To all moms, dads, students, landlords and maid services, this is the guide you have been searching for. There are several things you can do every day to reduce moisture, prevent mold and improve indoor air quality: Indoor air contains a high concentration of contaminants, so it’s necessary you work to keep a sufficient air exchange rate with the outdoors. Plants help keep your indoor air clean. This guide has been written for anyone owning, renting or selling a house. Homeowners, landlords and even tenants all want to know the secret to preventing mold indoors — who wouldn’t? Circulate the Air – Open your windows – Proper ventilation is essential. RBQ# 5726-4947-01, Gatineau, QC 514-667-3696 Monday to Friday 8AM - 5PM EST, Book your appointment To get rid of the current bathroom mold, scrub with detergent and water, then let the surface dry completely. Mold often appears as “growth” or even discoloration on materials like paper or wood. The key to mold prevention is moisture control. This article explains the number one action you can take to prevent mold. Clutter blocks airflow and... 2. Surfaces like sinks or floors are … Exposure to indoor mold can cause various health problems. Additional Mold Prevention Tips. With that in mind, it’s 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. Known as the “Paramedics of Property Damage®,” PuroClean provides fire and smoke damage remediation, water damage remediation, flood water removal, mold removal, and biohazard cleanup to commercial and residential customers. Ventilate appliances that generate moisture (cooking stove, shower, dryer, etc.) Vacuum with a HEPA Filter – HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters help to eliminate mold spore concentrations in carpets and on the floor. Remove wet carpet or furniture that cannot be dried within 24 – 48 hours. Repair leaks in the walls, roof, gutters, and plumbing pipes quickly to reduce moisture. As a South Florida based mold restoration company, we have seen mold grow quickly leaving homeowners with no choice except to call a mold expert. 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. 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. There is usually plenty of organic material in homes and it’s almost impossible to get rid of it all, so the key to mold prevention is eliminating excess moisture. If you're dealing with a mildewed shower curtain made of durable fabric, follow these steps for cleaning it. #1 Make Sure Your Indoor Plants Are Not Contributing To Mold Growth! Put on personal protective equipment (gloves, mask, goggles) to protect your eyes, nose, mouth, and skin. Use dehumidifiers (or reduce your use of humidifiers). However, as prevention, it would be great to bleach your clothes and other fabric to prevent future mold growth. Mold. For all property damage situations, our professionals are standing by. Not only is it unsightly, but also if left, mold in the home can affect your health, producing allergens and irritants. Top 15 Mold Prevention Tips #1 Dry Wet Materials Immediately To Prevent Mold! 24/7 How to Remove Unwanted Smells in Your Home, Top 10 Reasons Your Smoke Alarm Goes Off Randomly, Tips to Remove Mold from Washing Machines, How to Remove Mold Stains from Clothes and Fabric. For franchise information, visit www.purocleanfranchise.com. Once they attach themselves to a surface on the interior or … Or use a solution of 10 percent bleach and 90 percent water (a stronger bleach solution will not give better results). If you can, try to catch mold problems in their earliest stages by watching for the following signs: If you need additional information and practical tips related to mold and how to prevent it, call the experts at Mold Busters. If the water contains any form of dirt, then the growth can occur even more quickly since dirt always includes organic material. One of them is the bathroom. Run the Fan Properly. Colors can range from white to orange, and from green to brown and black, and it gives off a musty smell. With that in mind, you should be aware that you cannot create a 100% mold-free environment. Food — Anything that used to be alive (wood, cardboard, paper, wool, silk, leather, etc.). Unfortunately, mold grows in the soil of house plants and can also grow on the leaves, leading to higher levels of mold spores in the home. Inspect ceilings and walls for water stains. With moisture in the home, or an unexpected event involving water damage, mold can start growing within 72 hours. There are three main ways to prevent mold: Controlling moisture in your home is essential. Mold spores are literally everywhere and usually cause no concern.