Source: www.iii.org
Mold is destructive to your home and possession. Learn how to defend your home against mold.
A mold grows in… everything
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mold is everywhere—it grows year-round and can be found both indoors and outdoors. Mold is a living organism and, as such, it grows and spreads when it has the right conditions—and it likes the damp.
Outdoor molds are commonly found in shady, damp areas and in soil. Indoors, mold can be found where humidity and moisture levels are high, such as in basements, kitchens, bathrooms and on ceilings and wall interiors where water from leaky pipes, roofs or windows can accumulate.
Indoor mold can be ruinous to surfaces (like walls and wallcoverings) and to your belongings. While most molds pose no threat to humans, the CDC warns that certain molds can produce hay fever-like allergic symptoms.
Mold prevention
To prevent mold, eliminate moisture to make your home inhospitable to its growth. Here are some DOs and DON’Ts for mold prevention.
- DO use air conditioners or dehumidifiers to keep the humidity level in your home between 30 percent to 60 percent.
- DO put exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms.
- DO clean your bathrooms with bleach and other mold killing products.
- DO add mold inhibitors to wall and ceiling paints before application.
- DO inspect hoses, pipes and fittings to insure leaks won’t cause dampness. Consider replacing hoses to major appliances like washer and dishwasher every five years, just to be safe. Major appliances with water hoses include refrigerator icemakers and water dispensers, water heaters, washers, dishwashers, kitchen and bathroom sinks and bathroom toilets.
- DO maintain your roof to prevent water from seeping into your home.
- DON’T let gutters get full of leaves and other debris—clean them regularly.
- DON’T install carpets in damp areas such as basements or bathrooms.
- DON’T let water accumulate under houseplants.
