Mold can be a huge nuisance, whether at your house or rentals. It is very dangerous for your health, and it can also cost you a lot of money if it is left to grow.
As much as mold is harmful, it is also important in our ecosystem. It eats dead organic materials, and that is why it is everywhere, outdoor and indoor. Mold becomes dangerous when it starts to proliferate and to grow indoors. Mold can produce mycotoxins and other harmful poisons, which can lead to health issues.
The problem with many houses is that they give molds food since houses are constructed using dead organic materials. Because of that, mold can grow in any part of your home, including the carpet, paper, clothes, among other areas that you may not see.
How do you know you have mold in your house? The first sign that mold has grown in your house is a musty odor. However, you might see other signs such as watermarks on the ceiling and walls, which means that you may have moisture problems that facilitate the growth of mold.
Other signs that you might have mold in your home is when you see actual mold. You should know that mold can black, gray, green, and orange. Outside of these, you may want to hire a Los Angeles mold removal company to get the job done.
Reasons Why Mold is a Problem
• It can be expensive and hard to remove.
• Failure to remove the mold may lead to dry rot and structural problems, which may affect your property’s value.
• It produces some allergens, which may lead to health issues when inhaled.
The best thing is that mold can be prevented from growing, and the worst part is that it is everywhere, so you need to be careful.
For mold to grow, it will require food, moisture, and warmth. Therefore, denying these three things may stop the growth of mold. The simplest way to prevent mold growth is to ensure there is minimum moisture. Below are several tips for mold removal and prevention.
1. Indoor Plants
You need to be sure that your indoor plants are not the cause of mold growth in your house. It is correct to say that plants maintain clean air in our homes. However, it is sad to say that mold can develop from the soil of your indoor plants. It can grow on their leaves, which may result in more mold spores.
To prevent mold from growing in your plants, you can use some Taheebo tea to water your plants. Make sure the solution is mild as well. This tree produces oil that can withstand and prevents the growth of mold in plant soil. You can also find it from natural food stores.
2. Inspection
Inspect your house, especially the areas that might be prone to mold growth or those that can cause mold growth. You need to check out any possible mold problems before they become hard to deal with. Find answers to the following questions.
• Do you experience floods in your basement?
• Have you noticed condensation on your windows?
• Are there persistent leaks or water stains on your ceiling?
• Have you experienced dampness in your basement?
• Is there water flow in the foundation of your house?
When you answer these questions, it will be easy for you to fix the issue at hand and also prevent any future mold problems. You can hire a Los Angeles water damage restoration company to help with this.
In places at your house exposed to moisture, make sure you use some area rugs and wash them periodically. You can also use washable floor surfaces instead of using wall-to-wall carpets.
If you are looking forward to renovating your house or build a new house, consider mold prevention products like sheetrock and mold-resistant drywall. Also, consider some mold inhibitors used for paints.
3. Check Your Humidity
To know if your home has humidity in excess, check out for condensation on walls, windows, and pipes. If you see signs of condensation, wipe off the surface as soon as you can, and track the source of the moisture.
However, you can consider buying a dehumidifier if you can. Also, get a moisture meter for measuring the levels of humidity in your house. Make sure the humidity level ranges between thirty and sixty percent.
During the winter season, make sure the humidity level is below forty percent to prevent the appearance of condensation on windows.
4. Dry wet materials
When there is moisture, mold can develop between 24 to 48 hours. Here are some tips to prevent mold.
• Dry wet clothes and other items in the house
• Make sure your carpet and floor are dry from spills.
• After washing your clothes, dry them off even if you have to use a dryer.
• Dry your basement promptly in case of heavy rainfall that may have resulted in seeping into your basement. However, do not forget to reach out to service providers to help you out in waterproofing the basement to prevent other seepage occurrences.
• Do not use damaged carpets in case you experience floods. You should also not use your furniture if you are not able to dry them.
5. Ventilation
Sometimes, it is not easy to avoid moisture, especially when there are daily house activities like cooking, taking showers, and washing clothes.
However, ventilation can help avoid excess moisture as it helps increase the flow of air in your house. If there is an inadequate flow of air, excess moisture can be seen on walls, the floor, and also on the windows.
• Make sure your windows are always open to let in enough air into your house.
• Open doors in rooms increase the free circulation of air.
• Make sure your furniture is not close to the walls.
• Make sure you use appliances such as dehumidifiers, especially in areas where the climate is humid and AC units as well. Check them regularly to make sure they are clean, so they do not produce moisture instead. Follow the guidelines provided by the manufacturer when cleaning them.
• When showering, open the window to your bathroom.
• Install an HVAC system that can bring in air from the outside.
• When cooking, keep your windows open for at least an hour after cooking. Use a cooker hood as well. Ensure it can remove moisture produced from cooking out of the kitchen.
6. Leaks
Every time you notice water leaks issues, fix them as soon as you can. Consider hiring a plumber to fix them if you do not have plumbing skills. Water becomes hard to dry if it seeps into the walls.
Check out for leaks o roofs, windows, and sinks. Constant leaks result in mold growth.
7. Water Flow
Water should flow away from the house at all times to avoid water from trickling into your crawlspace. Make sure your plants or garden is not close to your home’s foundation.
If you are watering your yard, always ensure water does not reach your house or the foundation.
8. Inspection
Always inspect your crawlspace, attic, basement, and storage room. If you see signs of excess moisture or molds, clean the area properly, and remove it. You can also install a dehumidifier so it will control humidity.
Keep your storage room dry. Most people have rooms where they keep materials like books, camping gear, clothes, and other items. Check the humidity of that room since most of the items you might be storing there are foods for mold. Maintain circulation of air in the storage room as well.
Your attic will require good ventilation too. Your exhaust fan should not vent into the attic because it may result in excess moisture and mold growth.
Make sure the basement condensation is limited. When the walls and the floor of the basement are cool, they may create room for moisture build-up and result in mold growth. To avoid that, you need to have a moisture drain and a dehumidifier. Keep the basement walls insulated. If you notice moisture in the basement, reach out to a contractor to waterproof the place.
9. Clean and Disinfect
Clean regularly to remove any sources that may lead to mold growth. Concentrate on the bathrooms and other places that are most likely to produce moisture.
Clean non-porous surfaces such as tiles with disinfectants or use other cleaners that you have.
10. Debris from gutters
Clear debris that may block water from flowing from gutters and downspouts. Clean them regularly to avoid them from accumulating. Make sure they are inspected for any possible damage as well.