Preventing Mold In The Home

As a proud homeowner, you can probably understand the basic aesthetic reasons for preventing the growth of mold in your home. Mold can create an unpleasant visual sight in your home, most frequently around windowsills and doorframes as well as in less visible areas such as in basement and behind washers and dishwashers. Mold can eat away at your house’s finishings, and can also ruin furniture as well as giving off an unpleasant, musky smell. Many people need also to realize that mold has potentially serious health effects as well- mold in the home doubles the risk of asthma in children, according to recent studies, and some types of molds are also highly toxic.
With all of the detrimental effects of mold, it is crucial that you maintain a mold free environment within your household. Following some basic tips can make this a relatively easy process, as no mold can exist without a certain level of moisture.
The first consideration in preventing mold is where your home is located. Temperate coastal locations such as along both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, which are also known for high levels of rainfall, are prime locations for moldy houses. Additionally, some houses near to large freshwater bodies of water that have a role in maintaining their weather systems are also susceptible to the growth of mold. Home owners in these areas must be doubly vigilant in preventing the growth of mold within their homes, as well as sometimes considering extra measure in order to prevent mold growth.
Homes in these areas should use double-paned windows that are sealed tightly against the accumulation of water, which when combined with the wood of your home provides and ideal growing place for molds. The same precaution needs to be taken with door frames, and you should keep the exterior walls of your house clear of vegetation which may pile up and cause mold to grow against the walls, where it will be less visible.
The most important consideration in any situation that requires the prevention of mold is the limitation of moisture. Identify the areas in your hose where moisture is most likely to accumulate and clean the area frequently. This includes the bathtub and the sink, as well as underneath your sink where the pipes are and behind appliances such as your clothes and dishwasher. Remember that steam is just water heated up, and will eventually condense to form water. You should have an outlet for the steam, and always check any areas of your house where steam will accumulate, such as the spots where your ceiling adjoins your wall in the kitchen and laundry room. These areas should all be cleaned frequently, and any leaks or cracks in your piping need to be addressed immediately in order to prevent mold growth.
Proper air circulation is also key in preventing the growth of mold. Limiting the humidity of the air in your home will deny mold the chance to obtain the stale amounts of oxygen it need to thrive. Dehumidifiers and air conditioning are great methods to employ against mold accumulation.