Keep mold away by fixing leaks, limiting humidity, and ensuring proper ventilation
Mold prevention starts with controlling moisture, as mold grows wherever water and oxygen meet, making humidity control your first line of defense.
You can stop mold growth by fixing leaky pipes quickly, improving drainage around your home, and drying wet spots immediately after spills or condensation.
Keep indoor humidity below 50% using a dehumidifier, improve ventilation with exhaust fans, and open windows weekly to prevent mold from taking hold.
Hiring a local plumbing professional helps you find hidden leaks behind walls and repair pipe issues before mold has a chance to grow.
Noticing a musty odor or seeing fuzzy patches in your basement, bathroom, or kitchen? You could have mold, a sneaky fungus that thrives in humid areas. While mold can be tricky to beat, knowing how to prevent mold growth can help you protect your household's health and well-being. Here are a few tips to keep mold away.
The trick to keeping mold away is to make your home as inhospitable to it as possible. Mold can grow wherever there is moisture and oxygen, which is pretty much anywhere. Keeping moisture levels low is the first step toward stopping mold growth.
A leaky pipe can create ideal conditions for mold growth. Unfortunately, in some cases, leaks can be hard to find, at least at first, as they may be behind walls or in inaccessible areas.
Still, there are usually a few signs that there's a leak somewhere in your home, such as:
Higher than usual water bills
The sound of dripping or running water
Reduced water pressure from a faucet
Wet patches on walls or ceilings
Once you find a leak, you need to repair it. Often, it’s best to hire a local plumber to inspect and fix the leak.
Water can seep into your home after rain storms or when the ground outside is very wet. Improving the drainage around your home will keep moisture levels down. You can improve drainage in a few ways:
Keep your gutters clean and clear; remove leaves and other debris
Seal cracks in your foundation
Direct water from downspouts away from your home
Install a sump pump to control water levels in your basement
Whether it's a puddle under the sink from a leaky pipe or condensation on the wall after a shower, wet areas in your home invite mold. Use towels and fans to dry wet spots quickly, so mold doesn't have a chance to make itself at home.
Moisture builds up when the air is stagnant in your home, creating the ideal conditions for mold growth. You can improve your home's ventilation in a few ways, particularly in areas where mold is more likely–a bathroom or kitchen.
Install an exhaust fan in your bathroom to improve airflow, especially when people bathe or shower. If you can't install a fan, another way to improve ventilation is to have people open a window while using the shower or bath.
In the kitchen, use the fan in the range hood while cooking to whisk away steam from boiling pots and hot pans.
When the weather is mild, open the windows to your home at least once a week to improve air flow. During times when it's too hot or cold to open the windows, make sure your HVAC vents aren't blocked so air can flow freely from them. You may also turn on a ceiling or portable fan to help the air move.
To keep mold growth to a minimum, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends keeping the humidity in your home under 50%. A hygrometer, easily purchased at a hardware store, will help you keep tabs on the humidity levels.
If indoor humidity creeps above 50% regularly, a dehumidifier can help. You can purchase a portable dehumidifier and set it up in the rooms with higher humidity, such as a kitchen, bathroom, or basement. Another option is to install a whole-home dehumidifier.
Some household cleaning products are great at killing or inhibiting mold. Distilled white vinegar is a good example. It has a pH of 2.5, making it acidic enough to kill mold. It's also easy to find and relatively safe to use (you can eat it, after all).
Another good mold prevention product is hydrogen peroxide, which also kills mold and limits its growth.
If you're remodeling or replacing furniture or other components in your home, consider selecting materials designed to resist mold. For example, while drywall is typically a popular food source for mold, there are mold-resistant varieties available, which are engineered to restrict mold growth.
The same is true for some types of paint and other building materials. Mold-inhibiting ingredients are either added to the materials or they are engineered to resist mold growth.
According to data from Angi customers, most people (35.2%) need mold removed from their interior walls or ceiling, and 21.5% need mold removed from a basement or crawl space. Mold is commonly found in rooms that see a lot of moisture, so keep a lookout in your bathroom, kitchen, and basement. Call a pro as soon as you notice signs of mold to keep a small growth from becoming a much bigger problem.
You can take steps to keep mold from growing around your home on your own, such as maintaining lower humidity levels and keeping moisture-prone areas as dry as possible.
Some mold prevention projects will require the help of a professional, though. For example, you'll most likely need to hire a plumber to fix any leaky pipes or correct any drainage issues.
I would recommend this company to anyone! He showed up on time, was friendly, completed a very difficult repair on our dryer vent cover, was responsive, and pricing was extremely fair and competitive. I would have him back to do any of our repairs or cleanings without hesitation!
U.S.A. Dryer Vent, LLCThe technician was very professional and friendly. He answered all my questions and was very thorough. He left the fireplace area very clean . He inspected from the roof and advised me as to other work that might need to be done. There was no pressure there. I was very satisfied with the...
Supreme brick & chimneyAce Fireplace Services came to the rescue for my chimney repair. They were quick to pinpoint the issue and worked their magic to fix it. My chimney is now in excellent shape, and I'm a satisfied customer.
Ace Fireplace ServicesProfessionalism, quality, and affordability - Custom Paint Jobs LLC checks all the boxes.
Custom Paint Jobs, LLCOn time, clean and finished fast. Windows seem sturdy and the finish is good. Caulking was done with no smudges. Would recommend.
Window Depot USA of Central OhioGreat job...edging and pre clean up went well with a great job with seal coat. Friendly, efficient and professional.
All Star Paving and SealingScott did not get appropriate access to the property prior to the scheduled inspection which required us to come back later in the day to complete it. He also, unprofessionally, knocked on a neighbor?s door in his attempts to reach someone with access. His overall report was fine though the...
Security First Home InspectionsDid a great job replacing the ice maker and water regulator on my refrigerator. He was quick and thorough, very friendly and professional. If I needed a heart transplant I'd want him to do it!!!
Just moved from PA to Columbus in a studio apartment and needed help with some heavy furnitures because I couldn't do it alone. I called Hyremovers and they did a great and timely job and also left my apartment walls intact. Great service!
Scott checked our large crawl space for mold and water infiltration and recommended a viable solution. The crew was efficient and they cleaned up well after the job. The job was expensive but I am confident that I won't have to deal with the problem again. Highly recommend.
AdvantaClean of DublinFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Mold remediation cost can quickly escalate. But if you have mold in your home, the cost for mold remediation is worth it.
Mold infestations can negatively impact your health and home resale value. Read on to determine if mold will create issues for your home and how to resolve them.
When is mold remediation required at your home? We can help you decide whether the musty odor or the patch of mold you’re experiencing requires a pro’s help.
The best way to keep your home free of unwanted bacteria is to know how to get rid of mold in advance. Stay on top of it with a few tips and tools.
Facing a pesky mold problem on your walls? Learn how to clean mold off drywall to freshen your home and keep spores away.
These tips will safeguard your home from mold growth after water damage. Protect your house and your health with these expert mold prevention strategies.
