Can you name every living organism in your home? According to CDC data, up to 70% of American homes may be hosting an unwanted houseguest.
The odds are good that you have dangerous mold lurking somewhere in your California home.
Left unchecked, mold can cause structural damage or health issues that impact your quality of life. Unfortunately, once mold moves in, spores spread, making complete eradication challenging. The key to avoiding these unnecessary struggles is to learn how to prevent mold entirely.
We’ve created this guide to offer homeowners five expert mold prevention tips to keep toxic substances out. Read on to learn how to keep your family healthy and safe from the decay hiding in your home.
1. Identify Your Problem Areas
Mold prevention begins with a quick home audit. Look for condensation, water stains, and other structural indicators of water damage. These are all signs of excess moisture in your home, where mold can grow and spread.
Once you’ve identified potential locations where mold might develop, you can take initial steps to prevent problems. Repair damage, replace extant structures with mold-resistant materials, and remove any carpet that might be covering a leak. A mold remediation service can help you make these changes.
2. Monitor the Humidity Rate
Awareness is the first step toward prevention. Since moisture is the leading cause of mold problems, you can anticipate issues by monitoring humidity at home. Simple moisture meters are inexpensive and available at your local hardware store.
Your home’s moisture level should be somewhere between 30% and 60%, depending on the season. If your meter gives you a higher reading, locate the source and take action to remove any dampness or condensation.
3. Prioritize Gutter Maintenance
Many major mold problems begin with a leaky roof. You can prevent issues by making annual gutter maintenance a priority. If you aren’t comfortable climbing on a ladder, bring in an outside company to clean or repair your gutters.
If you’re too late and you’ve noticed roof damage, contacting a water damage company that offers water damage restoration and cleanup is a great first step.
4. Keep Mold-Killing Products on Hand
No matter what you do, rooms like bathrooms and kitchens will get wet, causing moisture to cling to walls and tiles. These are often the first locations we find mold. Make sure to use cleaning products with mold-killing properties to eliminate these substances before they can spread.
If you’re worried about chemicals, be aware that plenty of natural products can help eliminate mold. Vinegar, citrus seed extract, and baking soda are all great options.
5. Ventilate Your Home
Do your best to vent any moisture-producing appliances outside so they don’t contribute to indoor moisture levels. This can be as simple as opening your kitchen window while you cook or running an exhaust fan in the shower. It’s a lot easier than water damage cleanup!
Prevent Mold From Taking Over
In addition to impacting the structural integrity of your home, mold can be hazardous to your health. The best course of action is to prevent mold from growing before it can cause issues. All the steps above will help you keep toxic and harmful substances at bay.
If you’ve noticed the first signs of mold in your home, it’s too late for prevention, and the time to take action is now. Cal Prestige in Ventura County, CA, offers emergency professional mold removal and remediation. We also provide fire damage repair, smoke and odor removal, and property damage reconstruction services.
If moisture is wreaking havoc, reach out today for a quote.
