How to Prevent Mold Growth

by Resto Pros

March 15, 2019

Mold growth is a nightmare to any homeowner. Not only can it eat away at surfaces in your home and produce putrid odors, but it can pose some serious threats to your health. Defend your home and bank account from some serious damage with these tips from RestoPros to prevent mold growth in your home!

 

  • Keep an Eye on the Humidity Levels 

This could mean getting a hygrometer, which will measure the moisture levels inside your home. Ideally, you should keep the humidity level below 60 percent to prevent mold growth.

 

  • Use Exhaust Fans and Vents

If you don’t already have one, you should install a bathroom exhaust fan. Ducted to the exterior of the house, these fans draw out stale, humid air from your bathroom. You should also use the exhaust fan in your kitchen every time you cook to keep excess moisture at bay.

 

  • Keep Drip Trays Clean

If your refrigerator, AC unit, and dehumidifier have drip trays, make sure you drain and clean them regularly to protect them from mold growth.

 

  • Keep Your Bathroom Walls Dry  

Wipe down the walls in your bathroom after bathing or showering. The moisture that sits on the walls of the shower or tub can lead to mold growth.

 *Pro Tip: We recommend keeping a shower squeegee in your shower to make this an easy habit to adopt. You can find an entire shower squeegee kit on Amazon with rubber blade replacements, hooks, and holders.

 

  • Invest in a Dehumidifier  

A whole-house dehumidifier attaches to your furnace and treats the air throughout your home. This is a sound investment for homeowners living in very humid climates. If you have occasional dampness in your home, you can purchase a portable dehumidifier.

 

  • Invest in an Air Purifier  

Air purifiers are an inexpensive and simple way to help eliminate mold spores in the air. Place air purifiers in damp areas of your home like bathrooms, basements, and attics, as well as entryways and windows.

 *Pro Tip: HEPA filters are the most effective filters for air purification. They can remove over 99 percent of pollutants from the air.

 

  • Protect Your Household Plants  

The moist soil in plants provide the perfect breeding ground for mold, which can then spread to other areas of your house. Add a bit of Taheebo tea to the water you feed your plants. The oil of this tree withstands the fungi in the dampest rain forests and will defend your plants against moisture as well. You can find this tea at most natural food stores or order it online.

 

  • Fortify Your Home with Mold-Resistant Products  

If you are building a new home or renovating an old one, there are mold-resistant products you should consider using. Mold-resistant drywall or Sheetrock are fantastic options. You can also use mold inhibitors for paints.

 

  • Direct Water Away from Your Home  

The ground around your home must be sufficiently sloped away from the foundation. If it isn’t, water can collect and seep into your basement or crawlspace. You should also maintain your gutters. If your gutters are full or damaged, your roof can develop leaks. Have your roof gutters cleaned and inspected regularly to keep water away.

 

  • Improve Your Air Flow

The EPA states that the air holds less moisture as temperatures drop. If your house does not have good air flow, that excess moisture can appear on surfaces in your home. Avoid this by increasing circulation. This includes keeping doors between rooms open, moving furniture away from walls, and opening doors to closets that are colder than the rooms they are in.

 The Best Way to Prevent Mold Growth:

Let a Professional Tackle the Problem!

You now know how to prevent mold growth, but it never hurts to seek the help of a mold expert. The team at RestoPros have proudly helped homeowners defend their home against mold for years. For reliable services and expertise you can trust, call us at (855) 587-3786 or schedule an appointment on our website today and let RestoPros tackle your mold problems!