Summer is here and that means lots of heat and lots and lots of moisture. From humidity to rain, water is everywhere in summer, and where there is water, there’s the potential for mold growth. Moisture problems in the home can range from just creating a musty smell or uncomfortably high humidity levels to mold damage and even health risks from being exposed to mold which, according to the Center for Disease Control, can be as simple as mold allergies or more serious health effects such as asthma or lung infections.
According to the EPA (the environmental protection agency) “there is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.” Every house has some mold spores. Mold is endemic in the environment, but it doesn’t get out of control unless it has the high moisture level it requires to thrive.
Water damage from a leaky pipe or bathrooms without an exhaust fan are prime locations for mold growth in any season, but in summer, you can get mold growth from environmental humidity as well. Your indoor humidity goal should be from 30-60% to help avoid mold issues.
Best Ways to Prevent Mold Growth:
According to the EPA, the best ways to decrease indoor mold is to ensure that you:
- Vent your bathroom, clothes dryer and other moisture-generating sources to the outside.
- Use air conditioners and dehumidifiers
- Increase ventilation
- Using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing and cleaning
The EPA’s web site has lots of helpful tips on ways to avoid mold all over your home, however, once mold has taken hold, it is important to deal with it as quickly as possible.
What To Do If You See Mold:
If you see mold on hard surfaces, you should clean up the mold with water and detergent and make sure that you dry it completely. Removing mold on items such as tile is not difficult. That said, mold can grow on just about any surface if moisture is present, so be vigilant about keeping moisture in your home under control to prevent mold growth. If you find mold on absorbent surfaces, such as ceiling tile or drywall, it may need to be replaced.
If you suspect mold in your home that goes beyond the standard bathroom mildew, you may want to call in an expert. Mold problems that go unaddressed tend to get worse, not better, and mold exposure isn’t a great way to keep your family safe. An expert such as Branch Services can come in and go about sampling for molds, identifying any mold problems, and can then come up with a plan to address and remediate existing issues.
Remember, just because you see a tutorial on YouTube, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe to tackle mold, particularly large areas of mold, on your own. You can think you’re helping when instead you’re just spreading the spores into other, previously unaffected areas of your house. So, if you see mold, be safe, and be smart. Call the experts and rest easy knowing that your mold growth problems are being handled the right way, the first time.