Things You Can do to Prevent Mold
Give your home a thorough checkup to identify any issues that might contribute to mold growth and correct the problems as soon as possible. It will be well worth the time and the possible costs of repairs now as you will save so much money in health care, home repair and mold removal down the road if the problem gets out of hand.
Use this check list:
Window frames and door seals – Make sure that they all seal tightly and no water is seeping in.
Sinks, toilets, tubs and showers – check under and around all these areas for any long-standing moisture or leaking. You can install water leak sensors that will alert you to any leaks.
Hot water heaters – check around the heater for any leaking water.
Roofs and Ceilings – Examine for any signs of leakage although be aware that sometimes you can’t see any signs of leakage from inside of the house until the problem has gotten pretty bad. If you are not sure how to inspect your roof, hire a professional.
Bathrooms – check for adequate ventilation, especially when showering. Turn on an exhaust fan or open a window a little to allow the steam and moisture to clear.
Basement – Do you smell any musty odors in your basement? This is a good indication that mold might be present. Invest in a dehumidifier.
Attic – Again, the sniff test is a good indicator. Check for any leaks or moisture. Installing a solar fan is a good way to keep air circulating.
Why You Should Test for Mold
- You notice signs of mold such as a musty odor or have mold symptoms
- To identify the species of mold in your home – you want to determine if you are dealing with any toxic species of mold as this will also determine how you should remove it.
- To help you find where mold is growing.
- To test if mold in your house has been fully removed.
How You Should Test for Mold
- At-Home Test kit will allow you to sample the air quality in your home and results can be detected in 48 hours. You can also take a sample of mold that you find growing and send this off to their lab to be analyzed.
- You can hire a professional.
PREVIOUS ARTICLE << Do I Have a Mold Problem?