How Can You Prevent Mold in Your Home

11/12/2021 (Permalink)

How Can You Prevent Mold in Your Home?

When there’s moisture in your home, there’s a risk for mold growth. While this is usually a harmless fungus found everywhere in nature, it can be particularly dangerous inside homes. Specifically, when mold spores are inhaled, some individuals—such as those with asthma or allergies—can develop breathing problems, skin irritation, and congestion.

Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to protect your household. Offering advanced mold remediation services in Cape May County, SERVPRO^® of Cape May & Cumberland Counties highlights some of the best ways to keep the problem at bay:

Ways to Prevent Mold Growth

1. Repair Water Damage Risks

Water damage of any size can spark mold growth within 24 to 48 hours. To stay proactive, routinely inspect for moisture risks—such as leaking pipes and drafty windows—and have them repaired. You should also take care to maintain proper drainage outside the home, as dysfunctional gutters can cause water to seep into the walls and basement.

In the event your home experiences water damage, acting fast will help reduce the risk of mold growth. Whether you have a flood or a plumbing emergency, call a water restoration service to quickly dry and clean the area. If growth has already begun, these professionals will provide thorough mold remediation to stop the problem from spreading.

1. Control Humidity

Mold thrives in humid conditions, so it’s recommended you keep your home’s humidity levels at 60% or below. You can monitor these levels using a simple tool known as a hygrometer. If there’s too much humidity, dehumidifiers and air conditioners will help bring the levels down.  

1. Invest in Ventilation

Cooking, taking showers, and washing laundry are all common activities that introduce moisture. To prevent the need for mold remediation, it’s important to ensure your home has the proper ventilation that allows moisture to escape. For example, use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom to direct moist air outside. If you don’t have these, it can help to open windows or doors to promote air flow.

Whether you’ve found mold in your home or want to keep water damage from causing problems, SERVPRO of Cape May & Cumberland Counties is here to help. Equipped with heavy-duty tools, our restoration specialists are able to provide fast, thorough, and affordable mold remediation services. If you’re facing an emergency, such as a flooded basement or crawlspace, our experts offer round-the-clock service to get water out and dry wet areas to prevent mold growth. Call a Franchise Professional at 609-624-0202.