Tips for Mold Prevention During Summer
Although mold can grow indoors during any season, it can especially thrive during the warmer summer months. Factors such as summer rain showers, higher humidity, and cold indoor temperatures due to air conditioning all provide the perfect conditions for mold to thrive. As a homeowner, being proactive about preventing mold growth can protect you and your family’s health, your home’s indoor air quality, and prevent costly repairs or remediation.
How does mold grow?
There are two main factors when it comes to indoor mold growth, the common thread being moisture. Mold occurs when the wood moisture content (the amount of water in the pores of the wood) exceeds 20%, and/or the relative humidity within the room exceeds 55% for a period of time. Mold also needs organic material to thrive. When it comes to indoor mold growth, this means that your home’s wood structure often becomes the “food” that the mold thrives on. This can quickly weaken your home’s structure and lead to both devastating results and costly repairs.
Tips for preventing mold indoors
Prevent water leaks
Mold needs moisture to thrive, therefore indoor moisture levels need to be monitored to prevent mold growth from occurring. This means fixing leaky pipes, showers, roofs, and walls to prevent mold.
Keep the roof gutters clean
In addition to monitoring the roof for leaks, it’s important to monitor your home’s gutters because mold growth can be stimulated by roof leaks. To stop mold from growing, hire a professional to inspect your gutters on a regular basis and replace them if necessary. Additionally, during rainy days, look for stains on your gutters because they signify leaks. Make careful to clean your gutters frequently.
Control humidity
The number one tip to avoid mold growth during summer is to keep the relative humidity of your home below 60%. Ideally, the relative humidity should be between 35-45%.
When it’s hot and muggy outside and you’re inclined to fiddle with the air conditioner, mold issues can quickly occur. However, if you set the thermostat too high, your air conditioner won’t properly remove moisture from the air; if you set it too low, you risk creating cold surfaces on which water vapor can condense.
Ensure proper ventilation
Stagnant air gives mold plenty of opportunity to grow. Depending on the area of the home, the ventilation system will differ. Fans, dehumidifiers, and vents all offer plenty of air movement that can help keep mold growth at bay.
Mold Treatments by Jersey Shore Crawlspace Enhancement
If it comes time to have a mold treatment done in your attic, basement, and/or crawlspace, have it done right the first time with Jersey Shore Crawlspace Enhancement. Our highly trained technicians perform a two step treatment to clean your home’s wood structure and surfaces, kill any mold, and inhibit any future growth. We analyze the conditions to determine additional measures to adequately protect your home from future mold growth. This means that we not only take care of the current mold problem, but we address the source to make sure that it doesn’t return.
All of our mold treatments come backed with a 10 year transferable warranty in the event that you sell your home. Following the application of the two materials applied, our technicians ensure that the material penetrates the wood for decades of protection.
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