Let’s face it, no one loves mould. In fact, the thought of it can make anyone cringe. When mould goes undetected in your home, it can lead to a lot of problems. Mould spores spread very easily too, which makes it difficult to eradicate once it has begun to grow. Mould is not limited to wet areas like under the sink or on the windowsill—it can also grow on carpet, food, clothing, paper, and even behind your walls and drywall. Severe mould problems can be very expensive to fix, and mould can produce irritants and allergens that can affect your health. Learning how to prevent mould growth is something every homeowner should know, so here are some important mould prevention tips to help you protect your home.
Tips to Prevent Mould
Eliminate Clutter
Household clutter should be dealt with on a regular basis. Letting clutter, especially in damp areas like the basement, attic, or crawl space can lead to mold. Clutter prevents proper airflow and reduced the HVAC system from moving the air around. Furniture and curtains that block supply grills can also cause condensation and mould. Take advantage of spring cleaning this year and get rid of the junk, and clear away the vents to circulate the air. If the moisture levels are particularly high, place a few fans in the area to encourage air flow and drying.
Monitor Humidity Indoors
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, homeowners should keep their indoor humidity levels between 30% and 60%. A simple moisture meter can determine this percentage, or your pre-installed heating and air conditioning monitor may already display the percentage. Signs of too much humidity in your home include condensation forming on windows, walls, and pipes, so, if you notice these things you should dry the surface immediately and find out where the moisture is coming from. You can also adjust the temperature to prevent mould growth.
Ensure Proper Ventilation
Even the simplest activities can build up moisture in your home: cooking a dinner, taking a shower, and doing laundry. Without proper ventilation in wet areas like your bathroom, laundry room, and kitchen, mould can grow. It is always best to ventilate areas that produce moisture. You can use dehumidifiers, air conditioning units, or open the windows, but make sure that these methods don’t add to the moisture levels in your home.
Dry the Wet Areas
Mould grows because of moisture, so the sooner you remove the wet spots, the better. Your basement can become a breeding ground for mould if standing water from a leaky pipe, seepage from a heavy rainfall, or a spill remains unattended. Within 24 to 48 hours, you can guarantee this moisture has caused some mould to grow. The first thing to do is clean up the water, and never leave wet items lying around dark, moist areas.
Clean Roof Gutters
A leaking roof caused by full or damaged gutters is another common source of mould. After a heavy windstorm, and regularly throughout the year, you should have your roof gutters cleaned out and inspected for damage. These gutters are designed to collect the water that drifts off your roof so that it can flow down and out onto the ground, away from the foundation of your home. If these gutters have cracks or are clogged, the water that falls into them can rise and pour over into cracks in your roof, or down the walls of your home and into the foundation. This water can cause floods in your basement, and eventually lead to mould.
Keep Household Plants Mould-Free
Household plants are beautiful and help purify your indoor air, but did you know that mould loves them too? The moist soil of indoor plants creates the perfect home for mould, which can then spread through the air to other areas of your home. But the answer is not to throw all your plants away. You can simply add a bit of Taheebo tea to the water you spray on your plants. The oil of this tree can prevent mould growth in plant soil, and you can purchase it from your local health food store. You should also consider the environment that you live in to find out what works best for you.
Look for Standing Water
Standing water from puddles or dampness around hot water tanks, freezers, refrigerators, basement doors, sump pumps, and windows encourage mould growth. The key to preventing mould from forming is to regularly inspect these areas and wipe them clean.
Call a Professional from Flood Services Canada
If you cannot find the source of the mould problem, or don’t have the expertise and tools to clean up the moisture, contact the professionals. Choose a company from a respected organization that has years of experience in treating mould. These professionals will quickly and effectively detect the mould and remove it from your home. They will also help ensure your home is properly dried out so the mould won’t grow back.
For quick and effective mould detection and removal, Flood Services Canada can help you. Our professionals offer a variety of services and solutions to problems related to water damage and mould growth, and we can help you settle with your insurance company to save you money. We deploy our quick-response teams to cities across the Greater Toronto Area to help homeowners save their home in emergency situations. We provide sewage, water damage, mould removal, structural drying, and flood cleanup services and will use the best techniques, personnel, and equipment to ensure your home is clean, safe, and dry as soon as possible. Contact us at (416) 302-2107 to learn more about our services, or use our emergency hotline at (416) 999-3930 to get our rapid-response teams deployed to your location.
