Of all the things that can go wrong in your home, , none are quite as sneaky as mold.
Everything on the surface can seem fine, but then from seemingly nowhere, you discover that you’ve got a mold issue. Once that’s happened, you’ve got no other choice; you need to take action. It won’t go away all on its own! The best method, therefore, is to prevent mold from developing in the first place. Below, we take a look at a few tried and tested tips that’ll reduce the chances of it entering your home.
Get Drying
Mold’s going to arrive sooner rather than later if you have water in your home. While it can’t always be helped, it’s important that, when it does, you take action as soon as possible, and work hard to dry up all of the water. The elements don’t have to force there way into your home for mold to occur. Even things like damp towels, leaving clothes in the washing machines, or spilled water can have an effect. It’s easy to think “it’s only water, it’ll dry on its own,” but it’s not worth the risk. It only takes a couple of minutes to dry, anyway!
Keep Water Out
Of course, it’s all good and well-drying water that’s right in front of you. It’s a different matter entirely taking care of damp issues that you can’t see, such as in the spaces in between your rooms and the roof, and your basement. Because you’re unlikely to keep a close eye on these areas all the time, the best approach is to make sure that water can’t make it in in the first place. If you suspect damage, then repair your roof, which is the most common entry point for water. Your gutters might also cause water to enter the home, so perform regular checks to ensure they’re functioning as they should.
Keep An Eye On Humidity
How humid is your property? Most people have no idea. But if you don’t know, then don’t be too surprised if you end up with mold. You can buy a humidity monitor if you think it’s necessary, but there are free ways to check, too. For instance, do you frequently have condensation on the inside of your windows or on the walls? Then you’ve got high humidity. You can reduce it by cracking windows, taking shorter hot showers (cold ones are good for your home and you!), or you can take the simple route and buy a dehumidifier.
Improve Air Flow
We want to be as snug and warm as possible when the temperatures are chilly, but to prevent mold, it’s important to maintain airflow throughout the home. You can do this by keeping doors open between rooms and creating a gap between your furniture and the walls. If the air has more space to move around, then you’ll be able to avoid the buildup of moisture on surfaces that could lead to mold issues if left unchecked.
