How to Prevent Mold Growth

Yes, it’s true that mold can be good. For example, how do you eat buffalo wings without bleu cheese? Also, it is essential for making brie cheese, penicillin, and it’s even necessary for decomposing organic matter.  But when it’s growing undetected, it can be a serious problem. Here is how you can prevent mold from growing in your home and business.

Mold Growth in Your Home or Business

Mold reproduces by spores that can spread easily via airstreams and are difficult to eliminate.  It can grow on any moist surface – carpet, fabric, paper, wood, linens, foam, even hard to see places such as the backside of drywall, inside walls near leaking pipes, and above ceiling tiles. It can become a major problem in your home and even affect your health.  It’s best to prevent mold before infests your home.  Moisture control is the best and most simple approach to prevent mold growth.

Ways to Prevent Moisture in Your Home

• Provide proper ventilation and airflow:

  Make sure your kitchen, bathrooms, laundry area, and other moist areas have proper ventilation. These areas, although commonly used, can attract mold.  Appliances such as dryers and stoves should be vented to the outside to avoid moisture and mold build-up in areas you don’t want it.  In humid climates, it’s a good idea to use dehumidifiers and even AC units.  It’s even best to open doors and windows to increase air circulation in your house, especially when cooking and showering.

• Use mold-resistant products:

  If you’re renovating an old home or building a new one, use mold-resistant drywall and mold inhibitors in paints. Bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms are areas prone to moisture so use mold-resistant drywall and paints especially in these areas.

• Distinguish problem areas in your home:

  If you’re not sure which areas of your home are problem areas, contact Green Home to schedule an inspection today for assistance. There’s no way to completely mold-proof your home, but you can make it mold-resistant.  If you have flooding, notice condensation on upstairs windows, water stains on the ceiling from leaks, etc., you need to take measures to prevent mold growth in these areas.  It could mean spending some money by ripping up carpet, repairing damaged gutters, renovating and waterproofing, but it will save you money in the long run.

• Immediately dry wet areas:

  If you experienced a flood, seepage from heavy rain fall, or pipe damage, be sure to get every affected area dried within 24-48 hours. No moisture means no mold can grow.  Take simple preventative measures by drying walls after showers, don’t leave wet items laying around, don’t leave wet clothes in the washing machine, and even dry spills on the carpet.

• Divert water away from your home:

  The ground around your home might not be sufficiently sloped away from the foundation. If this is the case, use drains or spouts to avoid water from collecting or seeping into your basement.

• Prevent mold growth in household plant-soil:

  Yes, plants keep your indoor air clean and provide you more oxygen, but mold loves the moist soil. Don’t worry though, you don’t need to get rid of your beautiful foliage.  Add a bit of taheebo tea to your plant’s water, it can be found at natural food stores.

Mold Remediation

A great way to prevent mold growth in your home is to educate yourself and take preventative measures.  Green Home air can assist with mold inspections, remediation, and preventative advice.  Contact us today, our experienced team is here to help you keep your home mold-free and your family healthy.

For more information, please contact Green Home Air:

Green Home Air:
3704 Laurelcrest St
Salt Lake City, UT 84109
(801) 784-2401