There are several actions that can be taken to help prevent mold growth in your home. Routine maintenance and cleaning schedules will really help so if something does happen, you are well aware of the time frame and possibly the cause.

• Here are some suggestions from the basement to the attic:
  • If your basement feels damp and humid, purchase a dehumidifier. This could prevent mold growth. Carefully follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for cleaning the appliance and make sure it is emptied daily.
  • Add drain gutters to your drain pipes and make sure the water is diverted at least five feet from your foundation.
  • Make sure your clothes dryer is properly vented. Your dryer needs to be vented outside in order to control humidity in your laundry space.
  • Condensation on windows can be a sign of high humidity in your home. The seal on the window might have been compromised and moisture may be getting inside. This should be investigated and rectified as soon as possible.
  • Check walls for wet spots or stains. This could be an indication of a hidden leak and lead to mold growth. Any wet spot should be thoroughly investigated.
  • Check under the kitchen sink and under bathroom vanities for leaky pipes. Call in your plumber if you see any indication of water.
  • Keep the building and your furnishings dry. If something does get wet, try and dry them within 24 to 48 hours. This is the general accepted time frame for mold growth after water intrusion. There is no guaranty but it is the best timeline.
  • Use your kitchen exhaust fan to remove excess humidity caused by cooking and washing dishes. Make sure your fan exhausts outside.
  • If it isn’t humid outside, open your windows and doors to allow fresh air in!
  • Roof leaks will leave stains on the ceilings and sometimes on the walls. You may see a buckling in the ceiling or paint peeling. Don’t just paint over the stain. Investigate the cause and make the necessary repairs.
  • Poke your head in the attic a few times a year even if you do not see a water mark on your ceiling. Check the roof for stains as they might be an indicator of a leak.
  • Mold growth in the bathroom is very common. Make sure you run the exhaust fan when showering or open a window. The exhaust fan should vent outside the home and not in the attic.

Mold can also grow in your furnace and air conditioning coils. You should consider air duct and coil cleaning every two to three years. Give Advanced Air Duct Cleaning a call and we will not only give you a discount on the cleaning, we will give you free sanitizing with an antimicrobial which will kill any mold spores in your duct work and coils. Schedule a dryer vent cleaning at the same time and save money! We can add you to our long list of scheduled cleanings and give you a call or send you an email when you are due for a cleaning!

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