Mould in Your Home? Here Are The Best Tips For Eliminating It

Mould is a toxic substance that can cause allergic reactions and other health problems. It’s essential to take the proper steps to eliminate mould from your home to prevent these issues from arising. Below are tips that will help you do that:

Know the Different Types of Mold.

Mould grows in damp places. It can grow on almost any surface, even food, but it is most often found in moist areas like homes and buildings. Mould spores are easy to spread through the air, and if you breathe them in, they can give people with asthma and allergies trouble breathing. Some people are allergic to moulds and may experience symptoms such as congestion or cough after exposure to them for long periods.

In addition to causing respiratory issues, mould can cause infections if consumed or gets into open wounds. So if you’ve eaten something contaminated by mouldy food (like bread), your stomach might also be affected!

Identify Potential Spots for Mold Growth.

Finding mould in your home can be an unpleasant surprise. However, it’s essential to know that mould can grow in any area of your house where dampness is present. You should pay attention to these potential spots:

Sites with poor ventilation or air circulation: Mold thrives on moisture and dark places, so if there isn’t enough natural or mechanical ventilation in your home, you may have mould issues. It includes bathrooms and kitchens that don’t have fans installed or air ducts running into them from the outside (or both).
Areas with a lot of moisture: A leak somewhere in your home could lead to more than just water damage; it could also cause mould growth if left unattended for too long. Suppose you notice any puddles on the floor or walls around windows or doors that have been opened recently. In that case, chances are there is indeed some leak somewhere nearby—and if you can’t find it right away, look around at eye level when standing up straight (which would be difficult because what?), then check all ceilings. That area tends to collect more moisture than anywhere else since it contains pipes made out of plastic instead of metal, which means they tend not to rust much faster than something like copper. Thus don’t require constant maintenance from homeowners who live within residential homes themselves rather than apartment buildings where maintenance workers come once per week/monthly depending upon how many units are located inside each building structure itself.”

Lower the Humidity Level in Your Home.

Removing excess humidity is one of the best ways to control indoor air quality and ensure you don’t have a mould problem. The easiest way to lower the humidity level in your home is by using a dehumidifier. Fans and open windows may help circulate air and remove excess moisture from your house.

Suppose you live somewhere with high humidity, especially during certain times of the year (like when it rains). In that case, it may be beneficial for you to invest in a dehumidifier that can be explicitly used where there are high levels of moisture, such as in bathrooms and basements. This way, if there ever comes an occasion where mould begins growing because of increased moisture levels (when it rains), then having this machine nearby will make getting rid of them much more manageable!

Clean Up Water Leaks Immediately.

When you have a water leak, it’s essential to act quickly. A small leak can become a significant problem in no time. If you know of a potential problem or your home has been damaged by flooding, a few things are required of you, and they are as follows:

Clean up the area immediately.
Ensure your pets are safe and secure before moving on to step two.
Repair the damage as soon as possible so that no further damage occurs to other areas of your house, especially if it hasn’t been repaired previously (like after a flood).

There are many ways leaks can occur; however, most will leave signs behind so they can be easily detected later on when they happen again!

Regularly Inspect Pipes and Appliances.

You should also regularly inspect your home’s pipes, appliances and other water sources. You might notice:

Mould or water damage
Leaks
Cracks in pipes, rust build-up, corrosion or discolouration indicate a leak has occurred for some time.
Water stains on walls or ceilings may point to an issue with the roof or a clogged drain line. Suppose you see mould or mildew growing on an appliance such as a dishwasher. In that case, this could mean there is moisture collecting inside of it which can result in more severe issues down the road involving electrical fires and other health hazards. Also, check for odours such as musty smells, which are often associated with mould growths around vents/grills of heating units (furnaces/AC units)

Use Moisture Barriers on Your Crawl Space.

Moisture barriers are a critical part of mould prevention. They can be installed on the ground as a barrier to prevent moisture from entering your home or in the walls of your crawl space if there is no vapour barrier. You should check these barriers regularly for any signs of damage and replace them when they are no longer effective, or remove them if they’re not needed!

If you need help with this step, contact us today!

Improve Your Home Ventilation System.

Open windows and doors to let in the fresh air. It is crucial if you have allergies or asthma, but it’s good for everyone to do this regularly. A little cold air will help keep mould spores from increasing indoors.
Install a whole-house ventilation system that vents outside your home (if possible). These systems can be expensive, so talk with an HVAC professional before purchasing one to ensure it’s right for your home and budget.
Use a dryer in damp areas of the house like bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens, and basements where there. It can also help reduce airborne mould spores from spreading throughout other parts of their home.”

Keep the Kitchen Dry.

It’s essential to keep the kitchen as dry as possible. Use a towel or paper towel under your sink, and make sure that you’re not leaving water on the floor. Don’t forget to clean any spills right away. If you have a dishwasher, place a drip tray below it to catch any water from the dishes being washed.

When cleaning the kitchen countertops, cabinets, ceiling and walls (and if you have them), always use products made explicitly for kitchens: glass cleaners are usually safe for most surfaces. However, if the damage is sustained because of mould growth inside cabinets/drawers/etc., these areas might need either some TLC or replacement altogether.

Clean the Bathroom Properly.

Cleaning the bathroom is an essential step to eliminating mould. In this case, it’s best to use a bleach solution and a squeegee. Let’s break down each room:

The shower: Use a squeegee to dry the shower doors, tub and toilet. Once you’re done with these areas, spray them with your bleach solution and let them stand for 10 minutes before rinsing away any remaining residue with clean water.

Next up is the floor itself: since it’s tile or linoleum, you can mop over it using a damp rag or mop head soaked in warm water mixed with detergent or disinfectant cleaner before rinsing off everything again.

Don’t let wet clothes stay in the washer for too long.

If you use your washing machine, especially if it is old or broken, mould will grow inside your washer and dryer because of how humid these appliances can get. It is also true for steamers and front loaders. The longer you leave wet clothes sitting in a washer or dryer, the more likely they will develop mould on them! If you must rinse off those towels before putting them into the wash, be sure to remove all excess water before adding anything else into that load of laundry. Otherwise, you might end up with nasty condensation inside your machine after finishing up with whatever else may be going on there!

Change Air Filters Regularly.

You should change your air filter at least once every three months. To do this, you need to unscrew the old filter and remove it from its spot in the machine. Then, put the new one in place and screw it down tight.

It may seem like a small thing, but changing your air filter will help you keep dust and allergens out of your home for more extended periods, which can improve the overall quality of life for everyone there!

Ensure That Air Conditioning Condensate Drains Properly.

If you live in a home where air conditioners are installed, you must ensure that the condensate drains correctly. To do this, check for leaks around your AC unit and fix any leaks. If there is no leak, but mould has formed anyway, this could still be due to condensation inside the system and not draining out properly.

A mouldy air conditioning system can cause potential health problems if left untreated! It’s also important to remember that mould can cause respiratory issues if inhaled regularly over time.

Dehumidify your home’s humid areas.

You can help prevent mould growth in your home by using a dehumidifier. It is imperative if you live in a humid area or expect to get rain any time soon. Dehumidifiers can also help eliminate dust mites and other allergens, common triggers for asthma attacks.

You should keep the air in your house as dry as possible because mould needs moisture to grow. Excessive moisture in the air will attract moulds and fungi that can cause health problems like allergies, headaches and respiratory issues!

For best results when using a dehumidifier:

Fill up the reservoir with water every few days, depending on how often you use it;
Make sure there’s enough airflow moving around so that dampness isn’t trapped anywhere else except inside your unit itself;

Eliminate Mold Before Painting New Surfaces.

You’ve finally finished painting the walls in your home, but now you notice some black marks on the freshly painted surface. It looks like mould! What do you do?

First, remove these marks; remove any loose layers by scrubbing with a soft brush or cloth. If there is still visible evidence of mould after this step, use bleach to remove it altogether. Wear protective gear when using bleach, and ensure you don’t get it on surfaces other than the ones being cleaned. Once all traces of mould are gone, rinse the area with clean water and dry thoroughly before applying any paint or sealant finish.

Test for Radon and Fix Any Issues Immediately.

Radon arises from the breakdown of uranium. Radon can infiltrate your house through foundation fissures, sump systems, water supplies, under slab flooring, floor drains, or basement windows. When radon enters your home, it will accumulate in the lowest area of your house, which could be where you live.

It’s essential to test for radon because it can cause lung cancer if you breathe it in over time. The EPA recommends testing all houses for radon regardless of a family history of lung illness because the danger from low levels is considerable.

Buy a kitchen and bathroom exhaust fan(s).

One of the most common places for mould growth is the walls and ceilings in your bathroom and kitchen. To prevent this, you should install an exhaust fan in each room.

Exhaust fans are critical because they remove excess moisture from the air and prevent mould growth. They also help keep your home dry by circulating air throughout, which helps reduce humidity levels while ensuring that warm air doesn’t get trapped anywhere in your house.

They should be vented outside instead of into an attic or crawlspace! Venting them outside will help prevent moisture from being trapped inside your home; plus, it doesn’t cause any damage to anything else like if you were venting it into another room or space within your house would do!

Also, ensure that you clean out these fans regularly—this will ensure that they continue working correctly over time too! If something goes wrong with yours, though, then don’t hesitate before replacing them either (make sure they won’t cost too much either).

Let Your Ductwork Inspected Regularly by a Professional.

If you suspect mould in your ductwork, you must consult a professional who can examine the system and determine what steps need to be taken. It would help if you also had your ductwork inspected once every two years by a professional. If mould or mildew grows, you should address moisture issues within the ducts as soon as possible.

As we all know, mould within your home can potentially lead to health problems for those living there. However, if you take proper precautions by cleaning up spills immediately and keeping surfaces dry, you can reduce exposure risks.

Keep Outdoor Areas Around Your Home Well-Maintained, Including Gutters and Downspouts.

To keep your home free of mould, you should make sure that the outdoor areas around your home are well-maintained. It includes maintaining gutters and downspouts clear of leaves and debris. You should also ensure they’re clean since any dirt that collects in them can promote mould growth. If you can’t do this yourself, consider hiring a professional to come out and get it done for you.

If your gutter system is damaged or leaking water onto the ground below it (this could be caused by corrosion), this could cause mould to form on nearby surfaces like decks or sidewalks. For example: if water leaks onto an area where there was already some mildew growing before the leak occurred, more spores may grow afterwards due to increased humidity levels from rainwater soaking into those surfaces.”

If you follow these tips and be vigilant, you can significantly reduce the risk of mould growth in your home!

Maintain your HVAC. Keeping your home at an appropriate temperature will prevent high moisture levels. You should maintain plumbing concerns or leaks.
Don’t leave standing water in your house for long periods, especially in an area where no people live (like an attic). The longer water sits around without drying out, the greater its chance of harbouring moulds and other bacteria growths. If possible, try using fans to increase airflow through the area or even turn on dehumidifiers if necessary!
Use dehumidifiers when needed; this will help reduce humidity levels and prevent mould from growing behind walls, which could become problematic if not noticed early enough!

Conclusion

So, there you have it. These are the best tips for eliminating mould in your home. We hope that you found this article helpful and will use these tips to keep your family safe from the dangers of mould.