What is Mold?
Mold is a type of fungus that is good for the ecosystem outside your homes. But inside it is very problematic.
Mold grows in the darkest dampest spaces like sinks, bathtubs, around the windows, basements or attics.
The risk of mold is higher especially during rainy and flooding seasons. Mold can enter your home through open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems.
Mold can cause damage to your home and to your health.
Damage to Home
- Mold eats away at materials like carpet, drywall, ceiling tiles. If left unchecked, mold can damage your house enough to bring it down.
- Mold causes stains on walls and unpleasant odours.
- Mold reduces the air quality of your home.
- Remediation measures can cost thousands of dollars
Damage to Health
Mold can also cause health severe health problems. These include
- Increases respiratory complications like asthma and allergies
- May lead to sneezing, irritation in the eyes, rashes and headaches
How to Prevent Mold?
Given the health and property damage that can be caused by mold, it is important to prevent it. Here are a few ways you can prevent mold damage.
- Keep the humidity levels at your home low. An air conditioner or a dehumidifier can help in this regard. A good practice is to keep humidity levels lower than 50%.
- Fix any leaks in your roofs and plumbing. Water piling up under the sink or the bathtub can lead to mold.
- Use a sump pump for your basement and pump out excessive water as quickly as possible, especially after a flood or heavy rain.
- Remove any wet fabric like carpets if they get soaked in water and can not be dried swiftly enough.
- Use exhaust fans and vents in places that are likely to produce moisture. For example your kitchen and bathroom. Make sure that air in your home remains fresh.
- Use mold resistant products like mold inhibitors in paints and mold-killing products in the bathroom and sinks.
- Be vigilant and keep checking vulnerable areas for any built up moisture and dry them immediately. Check walls and other places in your home that may be hidden because of furniture.
What to do if Mold grows in your home?
If Mold grows in your home you have to react quickly and efficiently. Some of the steps you can take are
- Remove it from hard surfaces using home products like bleach, soap and water.
- Always dry the wet surfaces after cleaning so the mold doesn’t reappear.
- If the mold has grown in a bigger area, it’s ok to call in the professionals to deal with it. If the mold has gotten bad, dealing with it yourself poses health risks.
Comments are closed.