We’ve recently covered mold prevention for the home exterior – and home maintenance solutions that can help keep mold at bay. In the fall (and winter), there are several additional steps that you can take to ensure that your home interior stays mold and mildew-free. Fall and winter in Dallas/Ft. Worth can be difficult seasons for homeowners that have consistent mold problems. Warm fronts can come through, bringing both high temperatures and high humidity. These fronts usually bring rain or, worse, freezing rain and hail. These weather fronts often make it difficult to keep a healthy humidity in your home – and can wreak havoc on older homes with ventilation and insulation problems. RestoPros wants to make sure our neighbors have the proper information and tools to fight mold and mildew issues proactively. We’ve compiled a list of essential tools that can help keep your home interior dry and your indoor air quality healthy throughout the rollercoaster weather patterns of our fall and winter.

HEPA Vacuums

If you are concerned about mold spores, a great way to ensure your home is free of them is to invest in a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) vacuum. HEPA filters can trap the smallest particles including mold spores and other biological allergens that collect in the carpet. Only these filters are designed to remove particles that small. If your household suffers from allergies inside the home, HEPA technology can help reduce the symptoms – and keep mold spores from infiltrating your indoor air quality.

HEPA Air Purifiers

You can also fight mold spores in the air with HEPA air purifiers. These units have proven effective in removing spores and particulate pollution from small areas. They work best in bedrooms of allergy sufferers – or bathrooms where mold spores also collect and proliferate.

Do Air Purifiers Eliminate Mold?

Dehumidifiers/Humidifiers  

For Dallas homes that have rooms or areas where humidity is a year-round problem (including basements, crawl spaces and attics), portable dehumidifiers are a good way to keep the air dry – and prevent mold. They are available in a variety of sizes and designs and can be very helpful in keeping small spaces moisture-free. Be cautious in using a humidifier in your home. A humidifier is used to put moisture back into the air and most commonly found in infant’s rooms during the winter. However, even in the coldest of winters, our humidity levels don’t get very low. Dallas/Ft. Worth’s climate classification is humid subtropical, which allow for mid-to-warm winters. A humidifier is not recommended in the fall/winter unless it is suggested by your doctor or pediatrician for health reasons.

Hygrometers

These instruments measure the relative humidity in a home – and digital designs are available in most home improvement stores. Keeping tabs on the humidity in your home is a good way to prevent mold growth. Too much moisture in the air can lead to an infestation. The ideal relative humidity for health and comfort in a home is anywhere from 40 – 50%, but in the winter (on a cold day in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area) it might need to be lower than 40%.

Ceiling Fans/Portable Fans

Fans in general are great for moisture control. They help with the ventilation and indoor air quality. Ceiling fans can also help maximize the heat in the winter. By setting the rotation of the blades to clockwise (a feature on most modern designs), the fan will push the warmer air downward. Moisture control and ventilation are essential in keeping mold from growing in your home.

Efficient Ceiling Fan Directions