Preventing Mold Indoors
Monday, March 2nd, 2015 | Categories: Black Mold, Mold Solutions, Toxic Mold | No Comments
Indoors Mold Fighting Strategy
To prevent mold and mildew build up inside the home, especially in bathrooms, basements and laundry areas, be aggressive about reducing dampness:
- Put an exhaust fan in the bathroom. Run the fan before during and for at least thirty minutes after bathing.
- Quickly repair any plumbing leaks.
- Remove bathroom carpeting.
- Scour sinks and tubs at least monthly. Fungi thrive on soap and other films that coat tiles and grout. Fungicides (chemicals that kill fungus) are less important than a good scrubbing.
- Fungicides may be added to paint, primer or wallpaper paste to slow fungus growth on treated areas. But this will have little effect if excess moisture remains.
- Clean garbage pails frequently. Use a line to dispose of trash daily.
- Clean refrigerator door gaskets and drip pans.
- Repair basement plumbing leaks, blocked drains, poorly vented clothes dryers and water seepage through walls.
- Use an electric dehumidifier to remove moisture from the basement. Be sure to drain the dehumidifier regularly and clean the condensation coils and collection bucket.
- Raise the temperature in the basement to help lower humidity levels. Small space heaters or a low-wattage light bulb may be useful in damp closets. Be careful where they are placed, though, to avoid creating a fire hazard.
- Throw away or recycle old books, newspapers, clothing or bedding.
- Promote ground water drainage away from a house. Remove leaves and dead vegetation near the foundation and in the rain gutters.
