Helpful tips in preventing mold growth in your home or business

What is mold?

Mold is a living microorganism and a form of fungi. There are over 100,000 species of mold! In fact, mold comes in every shape, color, and size you can possibly imagine. Not all species of mold are toxic and you will not be able to tell if mold is toxic by appearance alone. If you suspect that there may be mold in your home or property you will want to have it tested by a professional. Keep in mind, even if the mold is not toxic you should always have a professional disinfect and eliminate the mold. More often than not the presence of mold indicates the presences of excess moisture and water damage issues.

Fun Fact: Some species of mold are used to create medication and certain types of cheese.

Identify the problem areas in your home and take steps to correct them.

Watch the level of moisture in your home, dry any wet spots immediately, have proper ventilation and air circulation. The EPA recommends keeping the humidity levels in your home or business between 30 and 60 percent. If you notice excessive water damage or high levels of moisture contact a local restoration company, such as Yellow Van, to perform an inspection to determine where the moisture is coming from.

Maintain moisture levels.

If you notice condensation on windows, walls pipes or dry surfaces wipe off immediately. You can prevent moisture with good ventilation. Run an exhaust fan when cooking, taking a shower or doing the laundry. Use AC units and dehumidifiers (especially in humid climates). Make sure to maintain these units so that they do not become clogged and cause water leaks or condensation. Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning regimen routinely.

Maintain the area around your home or business.

Keep leaves and other wet debris away from your property’s foundation and siding. Direct downspouts away from your home or business. Maintain roofs and gutters, clogged or broken gutters can have severe effects on your property causing water to leak inside of siding, pooling around the foundation. This will cause moisture to gather in basement inviting mold to take hold and form a colony. Slope ground away from the foundation to help control the flow of water. Maintain sprinkler systems, a leaking or broken sprinkler head can cause a lot of headaches. Be mindful when landscaping your lawn, do not overplant and make sure there is adequate drainage so water will not build up and cause seepage into foundation or siding.

Watch for mold growth on household plants.

Household plants are a thing of beauty, they help keep indoor air clean. However, mold also loves indoor plants, the moist soil is a perfect breeding ground for mold. Try putting some Taheebo tea in the water you use for your indoor plants. The Taheebo tree oil has been known to hinder the growth of mold, even in the rainforests and can be found at most health food stores.

Home maintenance and vigilance are good steps towards mold growth prevention. From time to time uncontrollable events, such as water disaster and appliance malfunctions, can cause unexpected mold growth. In these instances, calling mold removal specialists, like Yellow Van, is a sure way to restore your property and your peace of mind. You can breathe easier knowing that the right group of professionals are on the job.