If you’ve spotted any green or black spots and a strange odor, you’re definitely faced with a mold problem. If you haven’t experienced an unsightly smell with annoying stains on your walls, then consider yourself lucky.
Mold growth is a common occurrence in every home. There’s no escaping it. Mold spores are everywhere, and there is no way to prevent them from entering unless you take extreme measures.
So, instead of focusing on keeping mold spores out, you should focus on making them unwelcome in your home by taking cautionary steps and keeping your home clean and dry.
You can do a lot of things at home to keep mold growth at bay and protect you and your loved ones from severe mold growth.
1. Get rid of the source of moisture
Since mold thrives on moisture and warmth, the first thing you should do is eliminate the source of moisture. Whether it’s a leaky pipe or a crack on your walls, try to get it repaired as soon as you can.
Getting rid of the source of moisture can help prevent the mold from growing and hopefully eliminate the problem at once. The sooner you find the leaks or cracks, the better it will be. You may need to communicate with your plumber to fix some of these issues.
2. Keep your home dry
As part of removing moisture, it’s essential to keep your home nice and dry. You can do this by keeping items in your house cool and dry. For example, dry your laundry correctly so it doesn’t invite moisture into your home.
Keep the air circulating in your home by occasionally opening windows or using air conditioners. If you don’t have an air conditioner, it’s a good idea to invest in one, especially during the summer months or if you live in a tropical area.
3. Inspect your home regularly for leaks or cracks
The key to preventing mold growth from getting severe is early detection. Set aside time every month to walk around your home and observe any damages such as leaks or cracks in walls. Although you might not be able to fix everything up by yourself, detecting any damage early on will prevent the damage from worsening.
By being observant and keeping an eye on your home for any cracks or leaks, you are doing yourself a favor by preventing long term water damage. So, be proactive and keep a lookout for any issues that arise in your home. Be sure to check out moist areas such as basements or crawl spaces.
The Takeaway
If you haven’t experienced any mold growth, then this might be the right time to start taking extra precautions to prevent it. Keep in mind that moisture is the main trigger, so start with spotting any leaks or cracks in your home. Other than that, remember to regularly check and clean areas of your home.
If you spot a large amount of mold and are unsure with what to do, we recommend getting a professional to take a look at your home. Although it might seem like a pricy option, it’s better than suffering from mold growth in your home.
Author Bio
Diana R.
Diana R. is the business community manager at Basement Guides which is a perfect place for all basement related problems and projects. She helps spread the word about useful and updated guides for anyone interested in basements and restoration.