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11 Remediation Tips To Keep Your Family Safe From Mold And Mildew

Mildew, mold, and other moisture problems are prevalent in regions with hot, humid summers. However, during the winter, mold also presents a problem. Keep in mind that your indoor environment is more toxic than your outdoor environment. As a matter of fact, in other cases, the air measurements indoors are more polluted, affecting your home’s air quality. When it happens, it can result in mildew and mold buildup.

The worst thing about mold and mildew is that they may grow undetected for months, years, and in places with high moisture, such as basements, kitchens, bathrooms, and crawlspaces. Leaks in walls, ceilings, and plumbing systems are also ideal areas for mold and mildew to proliferate and grow.

Fortunately, there are various ways to get rid of mold and mildew. For more information, you can visit Pure Maintenance of Washington for a quick mold remediation solution; however, before you get started, you should know that there’s a difference between mold and mildew:

  • Mold
    Mold is a fungus and a typical component of household dust. It may show a health hazard such as causing allergy, asthma attacks, neurological problems, and respiratory problems in huge quantities.
    Mold can also be distinguished from mildew through its appearance. The mold color may differ as it varies in shades of green, red, black, and blue. Plus, the texture is also fuzzy or slimy.
  • Mildew
    On the other hand, mildew is also a kind of fungus that typically grows flat on surfaces. It’s often used to refer to mold growth. More often than not, mildew starts as a powdery or downy white and appears on organic materials, including ceilings, walls, textiles, leather, paper, and wood. It may also turn to shades of brown, black, and yellow.

After knowing the difference between mold and mildew, here are some of the remediation tips to keep your family safe from them:

Remove mildew via Simphome
Removing mold. A professional disinfector cleans and sprays the area with an antimicrobial treatment to prevent mold from coming back in house

1. Clear Your Roof Gutters

Aside from power washing, another preventative maintenance to keep your family safe from mildew and mold is by clearing your roof gutters. They must be regularly cleaned and once you spot any damaged part, repair it immediately.

You might notice several signs that show you a leak is happening before it gets into your house. It might be as simple as a small water stain. So, make sure to keep an eye out for such signs in your gutters to be proactive in fighting against mold and mildew.

2. Hire A Mold Remediation Professional

Mold remediation is crucial before more problems occur. Opting to look for professional help is essential for you and your family’s health. In addition, you may also risk re-infestation once you attempt to eliminate the mold by yourself. Besides, over-the-counter (OTC) mold test kits are costly and don’t tell you where the problem is concentrated or how serious it is.

However, some mold strains that affect limited areas like a drywall or bathroom tub can be quickly treated. With the use of a good mold cleaner, you can thoroughly wipe affected areas, along with caulking and grout replacement. A small part of drywall with mold isn’t also considered severe. It may be isolated from the other parts of your house, and get rid of it using a mold remover.

3. Dry Wet Areas

Even if you must avoid toxic cleaners, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t clean the surfaces in your home regularly. Getting into the habit of drying and cleaning your bathroom and some moist areas is an excellent way to keep them free of mildew and mold.

Mold can’t thrive and grow without moisture, so it’s crucial to immediately dry wet areas in your house such as leaky pipes, damp basements, and spills on carpets should be dried thoroughly and as fast as possible. Moreover, ensure that you don’t have bath towels or wet clothing out for too long. It’s hard to completely clean materials that have been compromised by mold.

Fix water issues or plumbing leaks to get rid of the moisture sources in your house. Other waterproofing solutions may include the following:

  • Repairing leaks immediately
  • Improving your drainage by unblocking sewers, repairing lots, and installing a new drainage system
  • Sealing foundation and window leaks
  • Maintaining and installing a basement sump pump
  • Repairing and cleaning downspout system

4. Ensure Proper Ventilation

The moisture that’s left on its own is the primary ingredient to mildew and mold. In your home, various moisture levels are inevitable. Even the air you breathe creates moisture. To avoid humidity in the air, the ventilation system of your home must be doing its job.

When your house smells old or musty, a chance that moisture can’t escape anywhere and because of that, ensure that your roof is well-ventilated.

5. Invest In Good Air Purification Units

Mold spores spread easily and may move from one room to another. They may even get into your air ducts. To prevent mold spores from taking over your air quality, consider investing in good air purification units as proper air filtration is essential to avoid mold and mildew.

Depending on your needs and budget, you can invest in a whole-house filtration system. Otherwise, you can use a combination of special air purifiers throughout your house to remove mold spores effectively.

6. Equip Your House With Mold-Resistant Products

Using mold-resistant products can make a difference in keeping your family safe from mold and mildew. For example, it’s more beneficial to use mold-resistant drywall than the traditional one. The reason behind it is that the traditional drywall consists of piles of paper. On the contrary, mold-resistant drywall is paperless, and its gypsum core is fiberglass, making it highly water-resistant.

Moisture-resistant drywall is valuable in places prone to wetness, such as kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, and bathrooms. Not only is the traditional drywall susceptible to mold than the paperless type, but it’s also hard to get rid of mold from its surface. Plus, the replacement and removal can be pricey.

7. Keep Indoor Plants

Plants provide a refreshing feeling to any space and make your house more appealing. It’s also an excellent way to improve your home’s indoor air quality.

Plants such as English Ivy, Spider Plants, Aloe Vera, and Dracaenas may help eliminate volatile organic compounds and chemicals found in household cleaners. So, if you want to enjoy fresh, clean, mildew-free, and natural air, get any of the said plants for your home. Just make sure to avoid overwatering them.

Rather than using a sprinkler, put your potted plants on a dish with clean water. The roots will absorb the liquid, enabling you to avoid spilling. You can also use this watering method to keep your surfaces dry, preventing mildew or mold from growing.

8. Check Your Outdoor Drainage

Proper landscaping can help you keep the mold away. Therefore, pay attention to the path that your water takes on your property.

If the water pools around your house, it may result in serious mold problems. It’s because the moisture may leak in and affect your property’s foundation. It is one of the many reasons why basements are mold hotspots. So, be sure to check your outdoor drainage and hire an expert to help you fix your landscaping.

9. Never Dry Clothes Indoors

It’s tempting to put your wet clothes on a radiator or clothes horse to dry them indoors. However, the moisture may evaporate from your clothes and settle on the walls and ceilings without ventilation, contributing to your mold issue.

Consider investing in tumble dryers instead. If it isn’t possible, try opening your windows to air dry your clothes.

10. Use Household Exhaust Fans

Almost all homes have exhaust fans for the kitchen and master bedroom. If you don’t have one, make sure to consider installing an exhaust fan immediately.

Exhaust fans are worthy investments because they can help you vent moisture and smoke away. For instance, running it when you’re boiling water may come in handy. It’s because it helps avoid water vapor in your home, which may stick to your walls, promoting mold growth in the long run.

It’s also a wise option to use an exhaust fan when showering or using your tub. Without it, the steam might only condense on your ceiling, walls, and vanity. Never let that happen if you don’t want to deal with mold growth. An exhaust fan can also be beneficial to keep your tiles free of scum and mold.

11. Consider Using Dehumidifier

A dehumidifier can lessen humidity levels in your home, allowing you to mitigate mold risks. The first time you run a dehumidifier in your home, you might be surprised at how much water it can collect from the air.

Depending on your location’s climate, other dehumidifiers may gather up to 20 liters in a few hours only. It’s normal when you first use it, but once you use it regularly, the moisture level in your home’s air will reduce over time.

Conclusion

If you’re dealing with mildew and mold in your home, it’s wise to take steps immediately. Mold and mildew may spread quickly, causing more health issues in your household and damaging your property’s foundation. To avoid that, keep the above tips in mind and never hesitate to hire professionals who are experts in mold remediation.

Written by Simpson

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