Finding mold growing on your property is troublesome and unsettling. Not only does it look bad, but it can also jeopardize your property’s structure and cause health concerns to any of its occupants. If you find mold in your home, you are advised to call a professional for mold remediation right away.

Once mold removal has taken place, you may feel relieved, but it’s important to learn from the mold outbreak. You should take the necessary measures to prevent the mold from returning. Otherwise, you’ll have to deal with the fungus and the cleanup all over again.

Fortunately, you can keep mold out of your home or building by taking the right steps. Use the following mold prevention tips as a guide on how to stop mold from coming back.

Moisture and Humidity Control

Eliminate Excess Moisture

Moisture is essential for mold to grow, so if you can eliminate any excess moisture from your property, then you can greatly reduce the potential for mold growth. Wipe up and dry any standing water as soon as possible. If there are surfaces that are prone to condensation, you can insulate them to prevent it from occurring.

Control Humidity Levels

The less humid the environment is, the less likely it is for mold growth to happen. Knowing this, you should take the time to control the humidity levels in your home or business. To do this, use a dehumidifier to maintain a humidity level below 50 percent.

You can also control the humidity in your property by using an air conditioning unit that is the correct size for your property. If the unit is too large, then it will frequently turn on and off, making it less efficient and unable to dehumidify the property. When you do use air conditioning, don’t let it run while door and/or windows are open; otherwise, condensation forms and brings excess moisture into your property. Additionally, set your AC fan to “auto” mode. This function will let any moisture that the system has developed properly drain.

Maintenance and Repairs

Indoor

Check for leaks from your roof and pipes, near windows, and in your basement. If you find any leaks, find the source of the leak and have it repaired. If the leaking continues and water accumulates, then it may lead to water damage. When water damage occurs, mold growth is often soon to follow.

In addition to having any leaks repaired, you should also have your HVAC system regularly inspected. If the HVAC system is working inefficiently, it may produce excess moisture and need repairs. Your HVAC system also needs to drain properly, so if any clogging is found, then that needs to be addressed as well.

Outdoor

Clean your gutters on a regular basis to prevent blockages and clogs. If water cannot freely run through the gutter, then the water can overflow and run down the side of the building. If water accumulates by the foundation, then it can cause water damage, which will likely lead to mold growth.

Additionally, make sure your downspouts direct water far enough away from your property. Otherwise the water will pool near the foundation and cause foundational damage and mold growth.

Proper Air Circulation and Ventilation

When you shower, make sure that the bathroom’s exhaust fan is running during your shower and for at least 20 minutes after. The fan will get rid of steam and other excess moisture in the bathroom. This is especially important because there’s so much moisture in bathrooms, making them hotbeds for potential mold growth.

Stale air can encourage mold growth as well, so open windows and doors to let fresh air into your property. You should do this when the weather is dry so that you can increase the air circulation in your home.

Any appliances that produce a lot of moisture, like clothes dryers, should be vented to the outside so that they don’t add moisture to the air indoors.

The Importance of Mold Prevention Steps

Mold is a difficult problem to deal with which is why it is such a relief to have it removed from your home. However, the mold can return very easily if you do not take the right preventative actions. Make sure you follow the above mentioned tips after the mold remediation is complete so you can ensure that your home stays mold free.

Mold Remediation Services

In the event that your property has mold growth, act immediately, and seek help from a professional mold remediation service. While there are some cases of mold that can be treated using home remedies, those techniques don’t necessarily prevent mold from returning.

Trained and licensed restoration professionals have specialized products and equipment to eliminate mold properly and prevent it from coming back. They can also restore any surfaces that have been affected by mold growth.

About Vince Sandri

Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restoration, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like flooding, water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restoration providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restoration to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like flooding, fire, smoke, and mold can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.