Another Dallas summer is just around the corner, which means both extreme heat and high humidity – two factors that nurture indoor mold. One small, undetected leak in your ceiling or plumbing during the summer could potentially lead to mold infestation. Regular readers of our blog know that mold can grow undetected for months; creating foundation damage, triggering allergies and causing sickness. Mold is one of the most detrimental factors involved in poor indoor air quality (IAQ). Its presence in the home is not just destructive, it can have a huge impact on the health and wellbeing of your family. To prepare for another humid summer, RestoPros has come up with a list of tips for the prevention of indoor mold.

Fresh Air – Opening windows in the summer is not always possible. This is especially true in Dallas where the lows in the dog days are not so low. But in June and July the early mornings are often cool enough for you to open the windows and increase your home’s ventilation. Fresh, dry air will help dry out damp, musty areas and lower the carbon dioxide levels. Air with high carbon dioxide levels can cause decreasing oxygen levels in the body, impeding the flow of oxygen to the brain. A home that has been shut off for several months can create a buildup of carbon monoxide – another example of poor IAQ.

Maintain Healthy Humidity Levels – While most modern HVAC systems allow a homeowner to control humidity levels, it can still be a problem for many Dallas homes. Both mold and dust mites thrive in a humid environment, so it is important to be mindful of your indoor humidity. The ideal relative humidity is 40 -50% for a home environment. Any higher than 50% during the summer months will increase the chances of mold to grow – especially in the bathroom, kitchen and basement. Ventilation fans in these rooms are also helpful (and essential in bathrooms). Consider having them installed by a professional electrician if there none in your home.

Tips on Reducing Home Humidity

Dry Wet Areas – Are there places in your home that are damp or wet for an extended period of time? Mold spores can’t grow without moisture, so it’s important to dry the wet areas in your home as soon as possible. This is why a ventilation fan in your bathroom is so important. Wipe down the walls of your shower and the areas around the kitchen and bathroom sink. Water from a plumbing leak, wet clothing and even a spill on the floor need to be dried within 48 hours. Wet clothing and towels are especially easy to overlook. Material that has been compromised by mold is extremely difficult to clean.

Ultraviolet Light – If your home has a recurring mold problem, ultraviolet light is a good way to combat it. Homes in areas with high humidity (like Dallas) can especially benefit from UV technology. UV lamps placed in areas of the home where mold forms can help to significantly reduce contamination. UV mold lights can be found at most hardware and home improvement stores. Many IAQ professionals use them to treat mold infestation and modified lamps have become a popular mold preventative for HVAC systems. This technology is most effective as a preventative. Homes that are experiencing a pervasive mold problem will need to contact a specialist.

Vacuum with a HEPA Filter – Using HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters to vacuum your home is an ideal way to help keep your IAQ healthy. HEPA filters help remove toxins, including mold spore concentrations, in carpets, tile and wood flooring. You can also use HEPA vacuum cleaners to clean air vents, ducts and musty areas that can contribute to mold growth. Though they aren’t a replacement for exhaust fans, HEPA air purifiers can help rooms prone to dampness that have no ventilation system (including bathrooms and kitchens).

Green Cleaning Products – Cleaning products that combat mold are some of the worst offenders when it comes Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). VOCs pollute indoor air and can create an extremely toxic environment. Fortunately there are several eco-friendly products on the market that are effective in removing certain types of mold. As a general rule, when cleaning mold and mildew, stick with cleaners that are water-based, non-toxic and non-aerosol. The EPA has a list of “safer choice” cleaners that can be accessed below.

Search EPA-Approved Cleaning Products

If your home is prone to mold growth, it is extremely important to take extra precautions during the most humid season. Act quickly when you notice the first signs of mold – or damp places in your home. The faster you act, the less likely it will manifest, spread and begin affecting the health of your household. If you feel that you might already have a pervasive mold problem, RestoPros is the leader in mold damage restoration and remediation. Give us a call at 855-587-3786 and we’ll set up an appointment today!


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