how to prevent mold in florida homes

\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. The favorite places for mold to grown include attics, closets, basements or crawlspaces, inside the HVAC systems or ductwork, underneath floor, wall or ceiling tiles, inside the walls, in the bathroom, and in or around window sills. If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but don't fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will come back. If you already have a mold problem - act quickly. Mold damages what it grows on. The longer it grows, the more damage it can cause. This will make your entire room smell fresh, but again, you should be careful about the humidity level, as it can bring about mold. By taking these simple steps, you can help prevent mold growth in insulation. The material your insulation of made of determines how likely it is to mold. Avoiding mold growth and knowing how to get rid of it properly are imperative for residents of Florida. But, thats certainly one benefit of regular preventative maintenance. Using warm water, damp cloth and mild dishwashing liquid, scrub each window with a brush and rinse thoroughly. Your home or small business impacted by water damage will be evaluated and inspected by our crew. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. Let us help protect you against the threat. Now that you have an overview, lets get into the details. Regular Maintenance Prevents Mold in Your Air Conditioner. Mold grows on paper, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood. 0000000797 00000 n When you leave your home for the summer months, you probably want to prevent mold growth. Other tools help capture humidity, such as moisture absorbing bags. Start by dusting and vacuuming all the surfaces in every room. 4. 0000013979 00000 n Do not forget, both high and low level of humidity are harmful to your health. A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home (pdf) (1.38 MB) Mold needs moisture to survive and grow, but vinegar contains citric acid which kills mold spores in large concentrations. We help homeowners by offering leading edge home performance solutions that save energy and lower utility bills. Make sure all areas of your home are clean and dry before you leave. Our team is here to provide the latest news and information on different topics. If youre a seasonal resident and are away for a large chunk of time, its vital to turn off your water. The impact of mold is unanimously negative. Areas that retain a lot of moisture are especially vulnerable to mold growth. document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We Are Open 24/7 - Servicing Ottawa and Montreal Areas, keep the level of humidity between 30-50%, call professionals to check the air quality in your home, you can ask professionals to check it for you, professionals can immediately check for mold spores, both mildew and mold prevention processes, the perfect moment to call professionals to test if, we often overlook the potential danger of mold growth, deep clean them before you bring them back in, Large quantities of water (such as floods or leaks), Daily activities (such as cooking, showering, drying clothes). Make sure to keep your surroundings dry. Alternatively, you could try one of these 5 houseplants that will help to prevent mold in your home. The good news is that preventing mold is quite simple, and the key is controlling moisture and humidity in your house. %PDF-1.4 % Remove each book, dust or vacuum them as well as the shelves they were sitting on. If you find some areas are very humid, consider getting a whole-house dehumidifier. 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. The climate and dense humidity of Florida make homes in this state particularly vulnerable to mold accumulation. Humidity levels must be below 55% to avoid mold growth. As soon as a pipe or roof leaks, wet materials, especially drywall which is high in cellulose, should be removed and replaced. If you see the moisture and heat levels rise, you can simply turn the A/C on using your phone. F=h21M6()m7EiJ(E'y;C/NTa[D.x8nzXk|/j !CU \N"8I-Q2F|V wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. can. Cookies used to track the effectiveness of CDC public health campaigns through clickthrough data. You can rest easy knowing your property is in good hands! Leaky roof, leaky pipes or any general accumulation of moisture/humidity anywhere in the home can cause mold to grow. This will slash the risk of water leaks. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Thoroughly clean the shelf before putting the books back. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Some areas that are often more humid are the bathrooms, attic, basement, and kitchen. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. WebHow molds are developed and causes are clearly comprehended by South Apopka mold removal and mold remediation experts. 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. 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. WebUse undiluted white vinegar on hard surfaces in kitchens and baths. Bear in mind how crucial it is because while it is not a pretty sight, it is even worse as a health risk. % of people told us that this article helped them. by Colleen Harding | Mar 1, 2022 | Uncategorized | 0 comments. Ideally, you should use a vacuum that has a HEPA filter, but this isn't strictly necessary. 2- Reduce Clutter. A remedy can be a quick and easy fix or it can cost thousands in damages if it spreads to areas such as air ducts. Mold will grow where there is moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been a flood. 4- Dont Use Humidifiers. You can check the humidity level by yourself (e.g. Keep a check on the dampness of your area, especially if you are living in an area prone to flooding. It is also susceptible to natural disasters, such as hurricanes, that can occasionally result in flooding. If you have trouble with groundwater coming in, consider installing vapor barriers in the basement and a sump pump system that will collect water. Hygiene is vital when it comes to preventing mold growth. Step 4: Using the scrubbing brush, remove the mold and stains. Once you have a good understanding of the humidity levels in your home, you are ready to take further steps to lower it down to the optimal level and keep it that way to prevent mold from growing. After a natural disaster such as a hurricane or flood, excess moisture and water can contribute to the growth of It must be set to auto, to have airflow at all times. Ashley has over seven years of experience in the cleaning industry. The actual mold prevention process can be as simple as checking and installing mold-resistant products or it may include waterproofing and roof fixing. Move your furniture so that you can reach every corner of your room to ensure there are no dirty or moldy places. Contact us today to learn more about our home watch services. Keeping humidity below 60% is Odorless solution cleans between 100-150 sq. By controlling high level of humidity, you will control mold. WebMy Mold Pro - Southern Healthy Homes at 797 Teague Trail Unit 4304, The Villages, FL 32159. 3- Repair Leaks in Your Homes Plumbing Systems. Mold on windows is often the result of condensation. When mold grows on a surface item, the organism actually feeds on the materials of that item. The impact of mold is unanimously negative. One way to do this is by installing extra gutters if necessary to direct rainwater away from your home. In case your humidity level is high, professionals can immediately check for mold spores and even mold signs. Even though mold typically doesnt feed on windows themselves, it can easily destroy wooden frames of your windows. If mold grows because of excess liquid, then checking all pipes is something to start with. Homeowners trust us to keep their homes safe while theyre away. Fix any leaks in your homes roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow. Florida summers are best known for a few particular things: heat, rain, and humidity. Your email address will not be published. If you spot any plumbing or appliance leaks, have those checked and fixed before you leave. Snowbirds take refuge here for the winter and often close up their homes in the summer for over 6 months at a time. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Humidity is a common form of moisture in homes and it refers to the amount of water vapor in the air. Moisture control comes in two forms: drying wet surfaces from leaks/spills and reducing humidity. Never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners. 2023 Energy Monster. Use air conditioning and dehumidifiers, especially when its hot and humid, to reduce moisture in the air. After taking all the preventative steps to protect your Florida home from mold, we hope you have a great summer! With, Have a professional determine the water leaks source and repair it, Use mold-killing products when cleaning your bathrooms, Remove carpets that are wet and cant be dried immediately, The general chores of bringing the patio furniture inside and, If youre going to be away from your Florida home for a significant amount of time, hiring a home watch company is your best bet at keeping your property secure. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>

\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/51\/Prevent-Mold-from-Growing-in-Your-Home-Step-2-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Prevent-Mold-from-Growing-in-Your-Home-Step-2-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/51\/Prevent-Mold-from-Growing-in-Your-Home-Step-2-Version-4.jpg\/aid924195-v4-728px-Prevent-Mold-from-Growing-in-Your-Home-Step-2-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"