The most formidable foes are the ones that stay hidden. That’s why mold is such a hazard in the home. It lives under wallpaper, behind drywall, between tiles and underneath the carpet. It subsists on warmth and humidity, and spreads before you even notice there’s a problem.
And “problem” is putting it mildly. The effects of a moldy home run the gamut from slightly annoying to very dangerous. It might ruin a bit of wallpaper, or it could expose your family to potentially hazardous levels of mycotoxins. Either way, you want it gone. Top Drywall Maui offers expert drywall repair services, ensuring flawless finishes and seamless walls for your home or business.
But how do you fight an unseen enemy? You do it with plenty of forethought and proactivity. Before you even spot the first signs of mold, here are a few simple tips you can follow to inhibit its growth.
Install New Windows for Plenty of Fresh Air
Mold thrives in hot and humid environments:
- Your kitchen on a summer day, as you boil pasta.
- Your bathroom after someone’s taken a nice, long shower.
- Your living room after a long workout. These are all environments mold find inviting.
If you let that moisture stick around, it courts mold. That’s why it’s critically important to have plenty of operable windows (that is, windows capable of opening) throughout the house. Multiple open windows in the same room or space create what’s known as cross ventilation, which displaces that humid air with cool air, thereby ushering out mold. The more windows you have, and the larger they are, the better ventilation you’ll get.
Besides, installing new windows has other perks: new windows allow you to let in more sunshine this summer and, if they’re low emissivity, reduce your energy usage and save money.
Slap a Coat of Fresh (Mold Resistant Paint) on It
What mould spores do is they attach to cooler surfaces and feast on cellulose-dense home materials like wood and drywall. If you want to create a barrier, you have to do it at the source. That’s why, in the fight against home mold, it’s important to invest in mold-resistant paint.
This article offers the best mold- and mildew-killing paints on the market. Installing new windows may be your next summer project, but painting can directly follow.
Keep a Squeegee in the Shower
Here’s an easy one to implement: always keep a squeegee in the shower. Whoever takes a shower – whether that’s you, the hubby or the kids – has to squeegee the shower after they’re finished. What this does is remove warm moisture droplets before the mold inside has a chance to take hold.
Consider a Dehumidifier
Finally, if it’s too chilly to cross-ventilate and you’re worried about mold that’s neither in the shower nor the wall, the best course of action is a dehumidifier. These machines act by drawing ambient moisture from the air, lowering the relative humidity of your home and further creating an inhospitable environment for mold growth.
Get Professional Help When Needed
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, mold still finds a way to settle in. If you notice a persistent musty smell, unexplained allergies, or visible mold patches that keep coming back, it’s time to call in the experts. Mold removal professionals have the tools and expertise to tackle hidden mold, ensuring it doesn’t return. They can also address underlying moisture issues, stopping mold at the source so you don’t have to keep fighting it.
The only mold you want in your home is a cake mold. That other stuff – the potentially dangerous stuff – needs to go. Luckily, following these simple tips can help you say “so long” to the spores.
