Simple Household Improvements to Ward Off Mold
Some homes we are living in now were built years before codes required ventilation fans or windows in bathrooms, or before the reality of what mold can do to a home was known. Nowadays, there are frequent news programs featuring homes with rampant mold, not all of which were destroyed through a natural disaster such as flooding. Mold can grow even in dry areas of the country, so long as there is moisture inside the home and mold spores in the air.
While it is impossible to eliminate all spores from the outside air, it is possible to keep them from growing into a troublesome problem when they make their way indoors. The following are a few simple household improvements that homeowners can make too ensure that mold does not develop because of excess moisture in the air. Regardless of how old or new a home is, a few economical changes can mean the difference between being mold-free, and having an expensive and time-consuming clean up project on your hands.
- Ventilate with hosing and exhaust fans: Moisture from appliances needs to be properly directed to the outdoors, including clothes dryers and oven exhaust fans. Old ventilation should be checked regularly to ensure there are no leaks allowing moisture to remain trapped indoors. Installing exhaust fans in the bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room is an quick and efficient way to eliminate excess moisture from any room. This is especially important in rooms without windows.
- Install appropriate drainage: All appliances and fixtures that use plumbing will need to be checked for appropriate drainage, including the dishwasher, toilets, sinks, and washing machines. In the absence of reliable drainage, hosing will need to be installed to keep the moisture out of the air and draining properly. Appropriate drainage also needs to be installed on gutters as well, as an overgrowth of outdoor mold can mean problems indoors.
- Replace outdated HVAC systems: Old HVAC systems may have leakages and dirty or wet drip pans. They may be beyond a little repair and replacing outdated systems will more efficiently heat and cool your home, as well as reduce the allergens and mold spores that are introduced into your home. By doing a thorough check of the HVAC system, homeowners can prepare for a humid summer (and increase in mold) by replacing that inefficient system with a clean and moisture-free one.
- Keep landscaping tidy and properly graded: Mold spores that develop into unsightly mold come from the outdoors. By keeping landscaping in order, homeowners can greatly reduce the mold growing outside there home, which in turns greatly decreases the mold spores that reach the indoors. Cleaning out gutters, properly grading the land, and checking regularly for proper drainage of water will reduce the chances of outdoor mold, as well as water problems on the foundation or roof, which can lead to indoor mold.
With a few simple home improvements and preventative measures, homeowners can ensure that the inside and outside of their home remains free of troublesome mold. Once mold has infiltrated wall and flooring surfaces, it is harder to kill and remove than it would have been to check for proper ventilation and drainage.
