Molds are microscopic organisms which are neither plant nor animal, but are considered as fungi, like yeast and mushrooms. Like the other types of fungi mentioned, these produce enzymes which allow them to digest organic matter. These reproduce by spreading spores around and grow in multicellular filaments known as hyphae. All species of molds require moisture to grow and thrive, and therefore, homes with plumbing systems can expect to get molds at some point in time or another.
These fungi do damage to the appearance and durability of homes as well as the health of the people living in it. Because of this, it is important for everyone to have good and well-maintained plumbing systems. Maintenance steps should be done as often as possible in order to avoid water leaks and standing water, which make the home moister and thus, make it more prone to molds. Here are some things that can be done to properly maintain the plumbing system of a home to prevent or lessen mold growth.
Replacing ANY old pipes in the plumbing system.
Old iron pipes have a tendency of bursting and leaking, causing parts of a home to be flooded. If you believe that an iron pipe in the entire system has become rusty, then switch off the water main and work on replacing it with a newer one, preferably made of PVC. If, however, a PVC pipe in your water system has broken, then make sure to check on it, and then replace it or wrap the broken portion with plumber’s tape.
Unclog ALL the clogged drains.
Clogged drains cause water to stand, making a place wet for quite some time and, as a result, make it a good place for molds to live and grow. Prevent this from happening by installing small grates or screens and not pouring down liquefied fat, used oil, and big food pieces.
However, if water no longer seems to go down the drain in a matter of seconds, then pour biodegradable waste digester down the affected drain to dissolve the items that have stuck down there. You can buy this product from a hardware store nearest you.
A well-maintained plumbing system definitely helps prevent the growth of molds. However, plumbing system maintenance is not enough. Good insulation and HVAC systems should also be in set in place in the house.
Ventilation and insulation systems should be placed on any crawl space in your home as well as the attic. Warm air filled with moisture will go up and collect in the attic, and proper ventilation allows it to dissipate from the home. The dirt floors in crawlspaces have to be covered with plastic to keep soil moisture from increasing humidity in the home.
An HVAC, also known as a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, is a great way of preventing mold growth as it cleans the air of impurities. Before buying one, however, make sure to determine what machine size is best for your home. Consulting with professional plumbers to carry out these tasks is as well a good help, for professional plumbers in Kingsford, contact: http://www.plumberkingsford.com.au .
