How to Stop Mold Growth

4/30/2020 (Permalink)

Mold on ceiling

Where there is moisture, there is mold. And where there is mold, health effects are bound to follow, especially for people who are sensitive to it.

HOW TO STOP MOLD GROWTH IN HOUSE

1. Control moisture. Keep the humidity level under 60 percent.
2. Dry up wet materials quickly. It only takes mold two days to grow.
3. Clean, disinfect, and dry surfaces prone to mold growth. A vapor steam cleaner may help.
4. Repair leaks. Replace dilapidated old pipes. Fix leaks on the roof, walls, and foundation of the house. Unclog HVAC units drain regularly.
5. Dry items thoroughly before storing them.
6. Improve airflow at home. Start with opening closet doors more frequently and moving furniture far from walls to providing better ventilation to confined spaces. The more windows you can open, the better.
7. Monitor your basement’s ventilation. Set up a foundation drain, put in a dehumidifier, insulate walls, set up a thermal plane, and let the entire room dry.

HOW TO STOP MOLD GROWTH ON WALLS

1. Prepare the affected walls with the usual white, black or bluish patches of mold on the walls. If it has spread to adjacent areas, such as the carpet or other items, remove these from the walls and salvage whatever you can.
2. Scrub as hard as you can. Use a mixture of one part bleach and three parts water and combine it with some hard scrubbing using a heavy-duty sponge or scrub brush. Let the solution soak in for a few minutes. In even worse cases, you may need to use this bleach mixture with a formulated mold remover. Make sure to wear rubber gloves and a respirator mask for protection and turn on the ventilation fan.
3. Dry the walls completely.

HOW TO STOP MOLD GROWTH IN BATHROOM

1. Remove and replace sealant or caulking affected by mold.
2. Use effective mold-killing chemicals to clean your bathroom, such as vinegar, bleach or hydrogen peroxide to help you, but make sure not to mix any of these products to avoid a toxic outcome.
3. Keep your bathroom doors and windows open while cleaning. This should help dry up the bathroom and take away the mold’s favorite environment.

HOW TO PREVENT MOLD GROWTH IN BATHROOM

1. Invest in an effective fan for every bathroom at home. Vents can suck out the moisture in your bathroom and send it outside. Depending on the size of your bathroom, find a fan with the right cubic feet per minute (cfm).
2. Use the fan properly. Turn the vent on during a bath or shower and leave it on for 30 minutes more after leaving the bathroom. Find a fan with a timer for your convenience.
3. Use your squeegee. Make it a habit to dry up the shower walls or tub with a squeegee.
4. Repair leaks. Once you notice leaks, fix them right away. Delaying repairs will only encourage mold to grow and take hold.
5. Dry out everything in the bathroom. After using your sponges, loofahs, and product bottles, remove them from the shower and let them dry.
6. Wash towels, rugs, and mat regularly.

If you have any questions, feel free to call SERVPRO of Columbia and Suwannee Counties for all your mold related questions.