Spring Mold Prevention
4/10/2020 (Permalink)
Springtime is in full swing, with flowers blossoming, birds singing, and temperatures getting a little warmer. This change in direction towards more pleasant weather drives us to open windows and let in the fresh air. While this may seem appealing, doing so can actually increase the chances of mold growing in your home.
What Should I Look For?
Mold can grow at any time during the year, but during the spring, warmer and more humid spring air enters the home, which creates the perfect conditions for mold growth when combined with moisture on any surface, including wood, carpet, and insulation among others. This spring, protect your home and those living in it by understanding effective preventative measures that you can take to stop mold from growing in your home.
First and foremost, it is crucial to keep air circulating throughout the home during the spring in order to reduce humidity and prevent mold growth. Fans can be incredibly helpful in maintaining air flow and dehumidifiers are effective in decreasing humidity levels within the home. Humidity levels in the home should not exceed 45%. Some areas of the home that are habitually cold and dark are particularly susceptible to mold growth, so it may be beneficial to pay close attention to these areas and do your best to bring in natural or artificial light in order to help prevent mold growth.
Rain showers and storms are prevalent during the springtime, which can lead to the growth of mold on areas surrounding windows and doors of your home.
How Do I Handle Mold Growth?
In order to prevent mold growth in these areas, be sure to frequently check surfaces surrounding doors and windows, including walls, floors, and windowsills. If moisture from rain or storms accumulates on these areas, it is important that they are dried quickly and thoroughly. Moisture can also accumulate in these areas due to condensation on windows and doors, which occurs frequently throughout the spring with differing temperatures indoors and outdoors. When met with humidity, mold can grow quickly in these areas.
If you see mold growing on a surface in your home, it is important to scrub the area diligently using detergent and water. Thoroughly drying the surface afterward is equally important, because if there is still moisture left in the area, you run the risk of mold growing on the surface once more. Usually, isolated and small-scale mold growth is manageable.
If Mold Is Unmanageable -- Call A Pro
However, larger-scale mold infestations can become overwhelming and require the assistance of professionals. Call SERVPRO’s mold remediation specialists to effectively inspect, assess, and remediate your home’s mold situation.