Mold Problems

First off, what are molds? Molds are a type of fungus and are part of a group of organisms that serve as an important component in our environment. They play an important role in the decomposition of dead organic matter such a fallen trees as well as dead leaves. However, molds aren’t limited to growing outdoors. In fact, they can also thrive within your homes, in your food or on your walls as well as your home furnishings.

So how can a person prevent mold problems in their homes?

First, you must acknowledge the fact that mold spores are all around us and though we cannot see them with the naked eye, they are there. You should also know that these invisible mold spores require moisture, food and warmth in order to grow. With that said, the top thing that you should prevent in order to stop mold growth is for moisture to leak into your home and your furnishings. But don’t think that doing this would kill the molds, what would happen is that the spores would just remain dormant until moisture is present again. So, after eliminating the sources of moisture you would also have to clean any signs of mold existence.

You can do simple things to prevent mold problems like vacuuming your home regularly especially the places that you think are potential mold spots. The bathrooms as well as other areas the regularly receive huge amounts of water vapor or moisture should also be regularly checked. Wall to wall carpeting, rugs, as well as washable floor surfaces should also be regularly laundered.

Refrain from storing clothes, books, paper as well as other items that mold feed on in places that are damp and moist. Always check your roof, walls, windows as well as your home’s foundation for any leaks that could be bringing water into your home. Clean your refrigerator’s drip pans according to the manufacturer’s specifications. If you see some mold growth inside, clean it immediately. Open the exhaust fan or a window whilst you are cooking. Make sure that the humidity in your home isn’t excessive. If necessary, do use a de-humidifier or turn on the air conditioning. All these would help prevent molds from thriving inside your home.

But what if there are already existing molds in your home? How do you get rid of them?

There are several ways. First, if you are to clean a pretty big area of your home remember the following safety measures. Always wear protective gloves as well as eye goggles. Do dress in long sleeve shirts and pants that can be easily taken off in the work area and then laundered. Reduce your exposure to mold spores by using a respirator which is designed to remove particles and to help prevent inhalation of the spores. These can be purchased in any hardware store, however, do note that this will not protect your from the fumes. Keep your work area properly ventilated as bleach solutions can be very painful to the eyes, nose as well as your throat. Then, go about cleaning carefully. Make sure that you cover the entire are and check if you missed some spots. Do check for hidden mold as well. Remember that the earlier you can detect the presence of molds in your home; you have a better chance of preventing mold problems.

Mold Prevention

When it comes to most things the saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” applies perfectly. Such is the case when it comes to protecting your home from mold. But before we go on to discuss strategies for mold prevention, let’s first talk about how molds thrive inside our homes in the first place. First off, molds are not alien creatures. They are part of our natural environment and in fact, in their natural habitat, they play a rather significant part in the decomposition of many organic materials such as dead trees, dead leaves and some such. However, as great as that sounds, you should never allow mold to grow inside your home. Molds reproduce through tiny spores which are invisible and can float about without anyone noticing. Molds can cause potential health problems and there are some varieties that produce really toxic substance and as such accidental inhalation or just mere touching it can cause severe allergic reactions.

Molds aren’t usually a problem indoors unless they accidentally land on a wet surface. Molds need moisture to thrive and without it they wont grow. So look around your home, Im sure by now you have spotted at least 3 potential mold growth environment. Places like your sink and the air condition are like prime spots of real estates for molds. So now that you know how molds thrive, Im sure you want to know how one can prevent them from getting into your home and start building their own little towns and cities. Well, look below for some helpful tips.

When water spills indoors act quick, if these damp spots on your carpet or anywhere else gets dried up some 24-48 hours since the spill the likeliness of mold growth is very low. Another type of mold prevention is to always keep you’re your roof gutters clean and to have them checked regularly for damages. Making sure that the ground around your building foundation slopes away so that water would not collect in the area around the foundation helps a lot too. Keeping your air conditioning drain lines unobstructed and drip pans spic and span would help prevent water formations. You should also keep the humidity indoors low. If its possible, keep the humidity in your home below 60% or at least between 30 and 50%. This can be measured through the use of a humidity meter which is a small and relatively expensive instrument which you can find at hardware stores. Lastly, if you notice moisture or some condensation forming on your home’s windows, pipes and walls dry them as soon as you spot them.

To help reduce humidity in your home, add vents on your appliances that produce some kind of moisture. This would include your clothes dryer, your stove, kerosene heaters and other some such appliances. When needed, do use air conditioners as well as de-humidifiers. It also helps if you turn on the bathroom fan or open a small window when you shower. The same goes for when you are cooking, washing the dishes or when you operate the dishwasher. These might seem like little things, but they help a lot in your mold prevention efforts.