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How To Prevent Mold Growth In Your Home
Washington DC Climate is a major contributor to the mold growth in your home. This is because of our humidity and consistently warm weather.
The average relative humidity in our area is around 75% which provides a good environment for mold growth, especially with the warmer than normal temperatures.
Bathroom Air Ventilation With bathroom exhaust fans such as this one you can help reduce the humidity in your bathroom, which will reduce the growth of mold.
Home Mold Removal – Getting rid of the mold with these simple steps is important when you find any kind of visible mold growth in your home. Using this type of product will help reduce the chances of re-growth .
We can help prevent mold by following some simple tips:
1. Keep It Clean
Daily wipe down surfaces with a disinfectant solution to keep them clean, especially kitchen counters and sinks. This will cut down on the food source which enables mold to grow.
2. Limit Household Humidity
Lower the humidity in your home by running fans during showers, cooking, and when drying laundry on a clothesline or indoor rack. For especially humid conditions invest in a dehumidifier for your basement and kitchen areas to help control excess moisture build up. Also, take shorter showers and close doors to limit humidity.
3. Ventilate Basements
Basements are usually colder than the rest of your home so they can hold moisture longer. Keep this in mind when adding insulation and sealing cracks to prevent any future mold growth.
4. Fix Leaks Quickly
If you see water damage or moisture on any painted surfaces, fix the problem quickly before mold develops.
5. Choose Your Paint Wisely
If you are painting, use non-vinyl based paint which does not emit harmful vapors and gases under normal conditions. This will help protect you from possible health concerns such as allergic reactions or other respiratory problems caused by mold infestation. To learn more about indoor air quality and the potentially harmful toxins in paint visit: www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq
6. Use Natural Building Materials
Use natural materials such as wood, bamboo, cork, stone or cement countertops to create a healthy environment inside your home. These materials are water resistant which help fight moisture and prevent mold from growing.
7. Don’t Ignore Black Mold Spots
If you see black mold spots on any surface, get rid of it immediately by removing the top layer of drywall or covering with a moisture resistant barrier to stop it in its tracks. Read more tips and articles about mold at: www.epa.gov/mold
8. Stop Direct Water Damage
Don’t let water stay on any surface for too long or it can cause major damage to your home and furnishings. Repairing water damage quickly helps keep mold from forming because the longer moisture stays in a space the more likely mold will grow.
9. Ventilate Your Home
Open windows daily for long periods in the spring, summer and fall to help ventilate your home. This will allow air to circulate through all rooms in your house which significantly reduces moisture build up.
10. Invest in a Dehumidifier
If you have many humid areas of the house, get a small dehumidifier for these areas to control excess moisture.
11. Install a Whole House Humidifier
For very dry conditions install a whole house humidifier to add humidity to your home.
12. Try Damp Rid Dehumidifiers
If you are unable to invest in a dehumidifier, try using Damp Rid Dehumidifiers which can be placed anywhere without the use of a drain to absorb excess humidity.
13. Maintain Your Air Conditioning Unit as this Helps Reduce Humidity
In areas that have high humidity, you should maintain your air conditioning unit as this reduces the amount of humidity in the air which can cause mold growth. Get service from a qualified technician by calling (202) 773-3291.
14. Be Careful Around Pools
If you have a pool, be sure to keep it well maintained and closed or covered when not in use since continuously high humidity can cause mold growth around pools after water has evaporated. For more articles on pool care visit: www.epa.gov/poolcare
15. Keep Your Home Well Ventilated
Tightly closed houses can promote mold growth because moisture lingers in the air and when there is no way to escape the humidity builds up. Make a conscious effort to leave windows open when it’s not too cold outside and weather permits. Also, avoid using humidifiers unless absolutely necessary since they tend to increase the humidity and moisture in your home which promotes mold growth.
16. Check Your Drains for Leaks or Slow Draining Frequently
Leaking drains with constant exposure to water will cause mold growth so it’s important to inspect them frequently. If you see a leak, stop it as soon as possible by capping the drain or turning off the water supply.
A clogged basement floor drain is another perfect condition for mold growth so be sure to check it at least once a month and remove any debris that may have accumulated around it. You can also get professional help from (202) 773-3291 to clean your basement floor drain or to clear any other clogged drains in the home.
18. Use Bleach to Kill Mold Spores
One of the best ways to kill mold spores is to mix a few tablespoons of bleach in one gallon of water and use it generously to rinse off surfaces that have started growing mold. Be sure to make a fresh batch of the bleach solution each time because it loses its strength over time. Once you’re done, rinse the surface again with clean water then let it dry completely before letting anyone into that room to play or live in your home.
19. Make Sure Gutters Drain Properly
Remember to keep gutters free of debris by occasionally rinsing them out with a hose or using a broom or rake to get rid of dirt and mold that can grow there.
20. Keep Lawns Mowed
Regularly mowing your lawn ensures tall grass doesn’t accumulate around the home which gives mold spores the perfect environment to grow and spread. When you notice tall grass growing in your yard, get it mowed immediately to prevent the growth of mold around your home.
For Conclusion
Mold growth is a problem that can happen to anyone whether you own or rent, and it can be especially hard for renters because it may not always be the landlord’s responsibilities to fix the issue once it’s happened.
If you do find yourself stuck with an infestation of mold, don’t panic because there are always ways to control and prevent mold growth such as following these tips.
DC Mold Inspection & Removal – Pro Restorer is here to provide assistance with all of your air conditioning, heating, indoor air quality and plumbing needs by calling (202) 773-3291 or filling out our easy online request form found on our website at www.acrepairteam.com
Please free to call us at any time if you have any questions or would like to set up an appointment for service.
We are locally owned and family operated with over 10 years of experience providing homeowners with ac repair, installation, replacement and maintenance services throughout the greater DC area.
We are open 24/7 for your convenience. We provide our customers with only the highest quality workmanship, materials and service at affordable prices.
We are DC Mold Inspection & Removal – Pro Restorer – Throughout the decade we have been in business, we have restored hundreds of residencies and businesses, keeping our community safe from hazards and bacteria by restoring, cleaning and sanitizing every infected and / or damaged area. We are offering a mold inspection and remediation services as well as water damage restoration services and rebuilding and renovation.
Our team of experts is well trained and experienced and we are always fully equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. We’re fully licensed and insured and we are here for you with same-day service for any emergency you may have.
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- Phone: (202) 773-3291
- Email: info@dcmoldrmoval.com
- Address: 2737 Sherman Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20001