Avoiding Mold at Home This Spring

Springtime in Indiana is traditionally a wet time of year, and this season has proved no different. With plenty of rain, it’s important to be mindful of mold growth. Hays + Sons explains common areas of the home where mold often grows, what to do if you find it, and how to prevent it.

Top Spots for Mold

Mold can grow both indoors and outside. Around the house, it is most likely to develop in areas where there is a lot of moisture. Microscopic spores naturally float in our air supply, but they can start growing in clusters on damp surfaces.

Take time this spring to search your home for any mold growth. The common locations where mold is most often found throughout the house include:

• Around roof leaks
• Around windows and on windowsills
• Near leaking pipes
• Areas that have been flooded
• Showers and bathtubs
• Near toilets and sinks
• In fireplaces and chimneys
• Damp basement areas

Mold can form in ceiling tiles, drywall, insulation, carpet, and upholstery, so you also want to be diligent about checking over walls and ceilings throughout the home. Inspect curtains, furniture, mattresses, rugs, and other fabric items in all rooms to look for dampness or visible mold growth.

How to Remove Mold

If you do find mold during your household inspection, you need to remove it as soon as possible to prevent further growth and health problems that may come from exposure. Moldy items and materials should be immediately removed from your living areas – this may include ripping up carpet or tearing out wet drywall and insulation.

To kill mold growing on hard surfaces in the home, use soap and water, white vinegar, or a bleach solution in your cleaning. Use no more than 1 cup bleach for 1 gallon of water.  Use a scrub brush and your chosen cleaning solution to remove mold, and make sure to completely dry the area once you finish.

For mold growing on porous surfaces in the home, use a cleaning cloth and a cleaning solution appropriate for the material. Using a cleaning cloth instead of a scrub brush will help prevent damage to these items. For items such as curtains or fabric covers, it may be possible to run these things through your washing machine and dryer to remove mold.

If mold growth in the home is significant or widespread, it’s best to leave the cleanup to a professional. Mold remediation services eliminate mold growth from your home, remove damp materials to prevent further growth, and restore your living areas.

Preventing Mold Growth in the Home

Whether you have finished remediating a mold problem or want to continue to keep your home mold-free, there are many helpful measures. Use these tips to keep your home protected and avoid hosting the ideal conditions for mold development.

• Manage indoor humidity levels. Levels between 30to 50 percent relative humidity are ideal for comfort and preventing excess moisture indoors.
• When it’s humid, use your air conditioner to help remove extra moisture from the air. Running a dehumidifier indoors may also be necessary.
• Keep your home well-ventilated. Run exhaust fans whenever showering, cooking on the stove top, and during other household activities that create excess heat and moisture.
• Fix leaks promptly. If you find leaks in the roof or plumbing, it’s important to correct them right away to prevent the surrounding areas from gaining the moisture necessary for mold growth.
• Remove carpets and rugs from areas of the home that tend to hold more moisture, such as bathrooms or your basement.
• Ensure your clothes dryer is properly venting outdoors to prevent a buildup of moisture in your laundry room.
• Clean out your gutters and verify that your downspouts are draining away from the foundation of the home.

Mold Remediation in Indiana

Mold in the home tends to pop up this time of year, due to the natural dampness brought by spring storms and flooding in some areas. If you find mold growing in the home, remove it at once to prevent further spread and avoid health issues amongst occupants.

Hays + Sons offers mold remediation services throughout Indianapolis and the Central Indiana area. To learn more about mold remediation for your home, please contact us today.

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