how to prevent mold in florida homes

\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Area rugs are better than carpet because they can be removed, cleaned, and dried if they get wet. When you are moving everything to take care of your carpets and floors, keep your furniture out for a little bit longer. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. They know how to stopped them too. If you find some areas are very humid, consider getting a whole-house dehumidifier. Do not forget, both high and low level of humidity are harmful to your health. You do not want rain blowing into your home through a crack that could have been fixed. with us today and get your free energy assessment! Since mold is often darker, it is a lot easier to spot it than mildew. Add mold inhibitors to paints before painting. ft. per 14 oz. Another thing you can do to prevent mold and mildew on your windows is set your air conditioning thermostats above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. We help homeowners by offering leading edge home performance solutions that save energy and lower utility bills. Before you start wondering which daily activities you should or shouldnt be doing, you should know that mold prevention is not about radical moves (such as stop cooking at your home), but about activities you should do to improve air circulation in your home. On the other hand, if you have problems with basement walls or with a lot of liquid (such as flood), the smartest move is to call professionals to dry out your walls quickly before they become home to mold. Florida summers are best known for a few particular things: heat, rain, and humidity. Required fields are marked *. Due to the nature of mold and its exponential growth, it is much easier to prevent it than deal with it by the time it has taken hold. Areas of the home where mold is commonly found are those places where the conditions for mold growth converge. Other tools help capture humidity, such as moisture absorbing bags. wooden, textile, etc.). If you have trouble with groundwater coming in, consider installing vapor barriers in the basement and a sump pump system that will collect water. WebKeep trees and shrubs away from your house The debris from them retains moisture in your home, and the shade from them prevents the house from drying out. If you have vinyl or linoleum floors, you can clean them with a floor polish designed for these surfaces. When you leave your home for the summer months, you probably want to prevent mold growth. If the weather permits, keep your windows open to let fresh air dry the window frames. Required fields are marked *. How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Sump Pump? Enjoy! If you must remove the mold yourself, follow these steps: Wear Protective Gear: If you are removing any damaged property on your own, make sure you wear protective eye masks or goggles, filter face masks, gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and waterproof boots to avoid contact with the mold. A lot of people turn their A/C off when they leave, but this is not ideal. in the US? 0000000952 00000 n Mold comes from tiny particles of fungi that cause the decomposition of many organic materials. 0000015118 00000 n Bear in mind how crucial it is because while it is not a pretty sight, it is even worse as a health risk. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Proudly Canadian. In most cases, bleach is unnecessary. For some people, mold can cause a stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing or wheezing, burning eyes, or skin rash. Website Maintained: Maximize Digital Media. The health effects of mold can be different for different people so you cannot rely on sampling and culturing to know if you or a member of your family might become sick. I will definitely utilize what I learned.". If the mold returns quickly, it may mean that you have an underlying problem, such as a Still, that doesnt mean youre entirely in the clear. If you happen to be on the search for the best attic insulation or, mold removal, our professionals at Energy Monster are here to help, , energy assessments, installing heating and air conditioning units, and much more. It is very important to understand that mold is allergenic, no matter which type it is. Timing is essential; thus, it is important to act as soon as the problem occurs. WebConsider purchasing a dehumidifier when your home experiences high humidity levels. Some materials are more resistant to mold growth than others. According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, 149 people died in Ian. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. The good news is that preventing mold is quite simple, and the key is controlling moisture and humidity in your house. The following are a few steps you can take to control moisture: Humidity levels must be below 55% to avoid mold growth. After scrubbing the surfaces, allow the bleach solution to continue to penetrate the surfaces and dry. Condensation forms when water vapor in the air (the result of cooking or indoor clothes drying) meets cold surface (walls, windows) and cools to become liquid. %PDF-1.4 % WebTo Prevent Mold Growth in Your Home Keep humidity levels in your home as low as you canno higher than 50%all day long. If you can, shower and wash your hair at their home. Snowbirds take refuge here for the winter and often close up their homes in the summer for over 6 months at a time. This will make your entire room smell fresh, but again, you should be careful about the humidity level, as it can bring about mold. After taking all the preventative steps to protect your Florida home from mold, we hope you have a great summer! WebUse a detergent/soapy water or a commercial mildew or mold cleaner. Use air conditioning and dehumidifiers, especially when its hot and humid, to reduce moisture in the air. Saving Lives, Protecting People, https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-remediation-schools-and-commercial-buildings-guide, https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-10/documents/moldguide12.pdf, Homeowners and Renters Guide to Mold Cleanup After Disasters, What to Wear Before Entering a Home or Building with Mold Damage, Mold Clean-Up After Disasters: When to Use Bleach, Invasive Mold Infections in Immunocompromised People, Reduce your Exposure to Mold in your Home, National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. 5- Keep Your Home Clean and Dry. Its also important to use exhaust fans in your bathroom, laundry room, and kitchen whenever youre using appliances. Mold has a nasty habit of lying dormant. If the leak is small and has access to fresh air (including sunlight too), you can let it dry out on its own by simply leaving the window open. WebKeeping humidity levels below 60% and venting moisture from showering and cooking to the outside are several ways to prevent the conditions that can lead to mold growth. If you can, leave the carpets out of your home and invest in renewing your floors and making them look shiny again. You can prevent mold growth in fiberglass insulation by keeping it dry and ventilated. In case your humidity level is high, professionals can immediately check for mold spores and even mold signs. No plumbing in the attic, but what about an old roof? Other Mold produces microscopic cells, also known as spores, which rapidly spread from the area of origin under the right conditions. A high level of humidity leads to excess moisture, which creates the perfect conditions for mold to develop. Mold will grow where there is moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been a flood. Copyright 2022 Income Realty Home Watch |. The level of humidity can be tested in two ways either you will do it on your own with a hygrometer or you will call professionals to check the air quality in your home (which includes more than just a simple percentage check). WebHow molds are developed and causes are clearly comprehended by South Apopka mold removal and mold remediation experts. Remember, there is no better organic food for mold than dust. 5 Dangers of Standing Water Inside Your Home. Your email address will not be published. If the weather allows it, you can put them back while they are still wet and leave the windows wide open. Other measures you can take to ensure mold doesnt invade your home include regular air quality tests and professional monitoring of indoor environment. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. The key to avoiding this scenario is by controlling moisture. Here are several ways to help prevent mold growth when you are not there. Cookies used to track the effectiveness of CDC public health campaigns through clickthrough data. If it is light-colored, it is probably mildew, and only mildew can be treated with home products. If you have an apartment or condo, set it a couple of degrees cooler. Whether its attic insulation or basement insulation, theres always a risk of a leak. Put a plastic cover over dirt in crawlspaces to prevent moisture from coming in from the ground. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Keep your home clean and dry. Electrical Safety Checks That Every Homeowner Should Do, Home Watch Websites by Home Watch Marketing. 4- Dont Use Humidifiers. Webeasiest way to prevent the mold from gaining a foothold is to control dampness. Mold needs moisture to survive and grow, but vinegar contains citric acid which kills mold spores in large concentrations. Your email address will not be published. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Get Blogo is a web magazine platform. Fix any leaks in your roof, AC ductwork, walls or plumbing. If you see signs of mildew or mold growth, contact an All Dry USA expert. Your home or small business impacted by water damage will be evaluated and inspected by our crew. By controlling high level of humidity, you will control mold. If you have a programmable thermostat, we suggest running your A/C cooler overnight. It can provoke new health issues and revive existing ones. Always hang wet things to dry. If it is too cold for you to leave the windows open, you can induce airflow by opening two or more windows at the same time. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. If youre a seasonal Florida resident, this is something to consider. Our AI tool automatically assigns a score from 0 to 10 based on the collected Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60%) to decrease mold growth by: Venting bathrooms, dryers and other moisture-generating sources to the outside Using air conditioners and de-humidifiers Increasing ventilation Using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing and cleaning Keep an eye on the humidity levels. If you require mold removal in Florida, All Dry USA is here to help! As for the impact on your home, it really depends on how quickly you catch signs of mold. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Copyright 2005-2023 Bust Mold Inc. All rights reserved. Moisture is the biggest contributor to mold development. As weve mentioned, mold will not grow when your humidity level is below 55%. This type of dehumidifier can connect to your HVAC system. 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