Preventing Mold Growth in Your Home

No homeowner ever wants to hear that they have mold growth in their home. Mold and mildew on the walls of your home do much more than smell bad and look ugly; they can actually cause illness in your family.

Mold releases spores that float through the air. When inhaled, they can create breathing problems or trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks. In fact, illness may be the first sign that you have a mold or mildew problem.

You see, mold grows in areas of high humidity and poor ventilation. Bathrooms, closets, behind cabinets or around window frames are frequent areas where mold is found. If your or your family have frequent coughing or sneezing fits, check those areas and see if there is any hidden mold growing.

If you want to avoid mold and mildew in your home, you need to keep it dry and well ventilated. Here are a few tips:
Always turn on the exhaust fan when showering. Mold loves steam.

• When filling the tub for a bath, turn on the cold water first, then add the hot water; it creates less steam and condensation.
• Whenever possible, open a window whenever you have steamy conditions in the bathroom, kitchen or laundry area of your home.
• The same goes for when you air dry clothing inside – even if it’s just a pair of stockings hung over the shower rod, open a window if weather permits.
• If you spill something or have a leak in your home, get it cleaned and dried immediately. You don’t want the moisture sinking down into the padding or sub-flooring.
• Check for leaks around windows; they can lead to mold growing inside the walls as well as on window treatments.
• If you have cold pipes, insulate them to prevent condensation.

If you find mold growing on a wall in your home, your first action is to clean it thoroughly with water and detergent, then let it dry completely. Check every couple of days to see if the mold is returning.

If mold comes back, you should call in a professional to deal with the problem. This is especially true if you have small children or infants, elderly or anyone with a breathing condition. Mold is no joking matter.