Worried about mold infestation during the winter season? Read to learn how to prevent mold growth in the upcoming months.
Winter is here! The high moisture concentration in the air and the thawing of the snow and ice act as ideal conditions for mold growth. As you prepare and plan for the year-end holidays, don’t take moisture and water damage lightly. The smallest of clogs in roof gutters or disruptions in downspouts can cause moisture intrusions during rain or snowfall.
To avoid this, follow these mold prevention tips:
Ensure Proper Ventilation Indoors
Until spring, try to keep your house as ventilated as possible, perhaps by keeping the windows open for as long as you can, every day. Since bathrooms and kitchens are at the highest risk of developing mold, stay very cautious about them. Keep a window open when taking a shower in the bathroom or cooking in the kitchen. This way, moisture will flow out of the house in the form of steam rather than build up indoors.
If, however, you’re concerned about letting the heat out, consider installing air vents in your bathroom and kitchen.
Clean the Carpets
If you sense an unpleasant, musty odor upon entering carpeted rooms, mold could be growing right under your feet. In the earliest stages mold infestation tends to be invisible to the naked eye. Hence, even if you can’t spot mold, the smell should be enough to prompt you to clean and disinfect the carpet. If the smell is strong, you may even want to consider professional carpet cleaning services to salvage it from the mold.
Prevent Moisture Spread
Not only should you try to eliminate moisture buildup in bathrooms and kitchens, but you should also prevent moisture from making its way to other parts of your home. For instance, when taking a shower, avoid keeping the bathroom door open so that steam doesn’t travel to other rooms.
If steam from the bathroom or kitchen is allowed to go to other areas within your home, condensation may take place and trigger mold growth.
Inspect Your Home for Leaks
In many cases, cracks and leaks turn out to be the real culprits behind water damage and mold growth. Inspect the drainpipes, faucets, showers, dishwashers, and fixtures underneath the sinks, behind the toilets, and around your washing machine for leaks. If you do spot a leak, call a plumbing professional to fix the issue.
Eliminate the Clutter
The more belongings you have in your home, the less space air has to circulate in your home. Before you head into the extreme wet and chilly conditions, spend a day looking for unwanted furniture and items, and remove them from your house. As the clutter is eliminated, your home should have sufficient ventilation to prevent mold growth.
While the mold prevention tips discussed above should effectively keep mold at bay, moisture intrusion from indoor spillage or hidden leaks may still trigger mold growth. If you suspect mold infestation, seek professional mold remediation services without giving it another thought.
For emergency mold inspection and cleaning, contact STOP today.
