Mold is a natural substance that has the ability to grow anywhere, but where mold thrives the most is in humid environments. This is because humid climates are ideal for mold growth; they offer high temperatures and moisture, which are the two key needs for mold to form and take hold.
When a mold problem occurs in a humid climate, it can easily take hold and cause property damage and lead to health concerns for people living in the home. Humidity also makes it difficult to remove mold. But such a challenge doesn’t mean it’s impossible to eliminate mold and prevent its growth in humid conditions.
If you take the necessary steps to prevent mold growth and control your home’s humidity levels, you can lessen the chance of a mold problem arising in your home.
Mold Prevention
Condensation Care
Whether it be on windows or walls, surfaces with condensation are a place where mold thrives. So to prevent mold growth, you’ll want to reduce the amount of condensation in your home. To do this, keep the indoor humidity set to a lower number and the indoor temperature set to a higher number. You should also dry up any condensation you find. To further prevent condensation, insulate the surfaces that are prone to condensation.
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Mold-Resistant Products
Individuals who live in humid climates should use mold-resistant products and items in their homes to prevent mold growth. For example, instead of having wooden surfaces and items, you should opt for ones made of glass, metal, or plastic. Mold uses organic materials like wood as a food source. Having moisture-resistant drywall can be especially helpful as well; the drywall’s fiberglass-covered core helps make it unaffected by water.
Proper Ventilation
If you allow fresh air into your home and properly ventilate it, you can avoid having stale air that encourages mold spore reproduction. Open the doors to the rooms in your home and on sunny days, open windows to let fresh air in.
When you use the bathroom and accumulate steam and moisture, be sure to turn on the exhaust fan. Perform regular cleaning and maintenance on air ducts, too, so that clean air can circulate throughout the home.
Regular Cleaning
Mold spores are natural and will enter your home regardless of what you do. With regular cleaning, you can remove some of the spores before they have time to form into mold growth. Dust and clean your household surfaces, and vacuum regularly to lessen the amount of mold, dirt, and dust in your home. This is especially helpful, because mold is known to grow on dust and use it as a food source.
Humidity Control
Air Conditioners
Air conditioning is important for humidity control, but effective air conditioning is key. You need to have an air conditioning unit that’s the correct size for your home so it can maintain the proper temperature and humidity level.
Your air conditioner shouldn’t be running while doors and/or windows are open. This allows the cool air to exit the home as warmer air enters which causes condensation. You should also set the AC fan to “auto” mode. This allows time for any moisture from the system to drain instead of re-entering the home and increasing the humidity.
Dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers allow you to control the humidity levels in your home, which is essential in preventing mold growth. Use a dehumidifier to maintain a humidity level below 50 percent.
Proper Drying
Because of the natural humid climate, having wet items in your home can easily lead to mold growth. Knowing this, it is important to make sure the items in your home become thoroughly dried. When you do laundry, you need to completely dry your clothes in a dryer before putting them away. In fact, don’t store and put away any items if they aren’t completely dry. If you need to hang dry clothes, don’t dry them inside.
If you have indoor plants, add anti-mold products to the water used for the plants. This will limit the potential for mold growth in the plants’ soil, which is a common place for mold to thrive.
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Water Prevention
Any water damage in your home, especially in a humid climate, can easily lead to mold growth. As such, take the necessary measures to prevent water from entering your property. Make repairs on cracks so water cannot come in from the outside. Have your home’s windows and doors leak-proofed to keep water from seeping in.
Additionally, clean your gutters regularly so that they can properly drain water. If they’re clogged, the water won’t be directed away from your home and may cause damage to the siding or foundation. Likewise, get downspout extensions if your home’s downspouts don’t direct water far enough away from your property.
Professional Mold Removal Help
Follow the aforementioned tips to prevent mold growth from becoming an issue in your home. Even during the winter, the Houston area experiences mild temperatures and humidity that can create the conditions for mold growth. Homeowners should always keep these tips in mind to ensure that their home stays mold free all year, including the winter.
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Because mold spores occur naturally, mold growth may still occur even after taking preventative action. If you find that your property is in need of mold removal, call our professionals at Fort Collins Restoration Pro for our mold remediation services. We can safely and effectively eliminate cases of mold using state-of-the-art equipment and methods.
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