There may be a million other ways you’d rather spend your money as a homeowner, but mold proofing your home is one of the best investments you can make. Mold can destroy your home and cost you lots of money as well as cost you or a family member your health. There are many preventions you can put into place in order to preserve your home and protect your family.
Reasons Why You Should Invest in Mold Proofing your Home
Mold can be sneaky. It can grow without us ever knowing it is there. Once it takes hold in your home, it can be difficult to remove. Mold remediation can be expensive, and the longer it remains in your home, the more expensive it can be to remove. Here are just a few reasons you should consider mold proofing your home before you get caught in a moldy situation.
Prevention is Cheaper than Remediation
As with most things in life, prevention is a good thing. Mold proofing is a preventative measure that can save you thousands of dollars. By investing in professional mold proofing, you will avoid potential costs down the line. It is a form of insurance that can protect your wallet.
Protect your Home
Once you get mold in your home, you will a lot of potentially expensive remediation to do. On top of that unexpected expense, the value of your home may take a drastic hit. If you choose to sell your home in the future, potential buyers may turn away from it due to the history of mold. Preventing mold is one way to protect the value of your home.
Your Health is at Risk
While dollar signs are important and can impact your life, your health and the health of your family is the most important thing to preserve. Mold can cause serious health issues and even death in certain situations. Depending on the type and severity, it can impact affected people for years or for their entire lives. Mold proofing is a great way to keep your family safe from this silent attacker.
Mold Proofing your Home
Even the cleanest and newest of homes are susceptible to mold growth. Molds reproduce by releasing microspores in the air that eventually settle on surfaces and grow. Sometimes you will be able to see or smell the mold growth, but oftentimes it can go undetected for years. Luckily there are several steps you can take yourself to control the growth of mold in your home. Mold proofing is a great way to protect your money, home and health!
Control the Environment
Molds grow in all different temperatures, but most molds grow best in warm temperatures and high humidity. You can control the environment in your home to help prevent mold growth. Keep the relative humidity low and maintain temperatures in the low 70’s. Close doors and windows during warm weather. Run your air conditioner and/or a dehumidifier to keep humidity low. Add desiccants to areas such as closets and clothing storage to keep moisture out. Resist overfilling storage areas so that air flow is maintained.
Molds also require moisture to grow. A very important part of mold proofing your home includes keeping moisture at bay. Moisture can come from anywhere. From the moisture in the air to water leaks to condensation, even the smallest amount of moisture can help mold grow. While maintaining the temperature and humidity in your house is vital, you must also stay on top of home maintenance and inspection to ensure sources of moisture are dealt with right away.
Control the Cleanliness
By having a weekly cleaning routine set up for your home, you not only keep surfaces clean and mold free, but you also are able to identify any moisture or mold right away (when it is easier to remedy). Mop hard floors. Vaccum carpet with a small particle or HEPA filter. Dust and use a damp cloth to clean windowsills, around doors and window frames. Keep pet bedding clean and fresh by frequently washing it in hot water. Keep houseplants wiped down and use fresh soil. Molds thrive on organic materials so the cleaner your house is, the less the likelihood of mold growth.
Control Natural Disaster Mold Potential
Part of mold proofing your home is dealing with the aftermath of a flood or other event such as a water leak that leaves your home wet for more than a few hours. You must step in quickly and clean, dry and disinfect before mold takes over. If your home flooded, you will have to remove the wet flooring and wall materials and thoroughly dry out your home. You may want to bring in professional mold remediators to inspect your home for mold prior to reinstalling walls and floors.
Discard wet materials that cannot be effectively and quickly dried out. Resist the urge to save items if they cannot be completely sanitized and dried out after getting wet. While your items may be expensive, the cost of mold can cost a lot more.
Perform Inspections
Mold proofing your home can (and should) include periodic inspections of your home. Mold can take hold quickly and go unnoticed in areas that are not frequently visited (attic, basement etc). Save a spot on your calendar to walk through these areas at least monthly. Leave room against walls and ceilings so that you can adequately see cracks and crevices. Inspect your roof at least annually and after any hail or large wind storm. Inspect the insulation around windows and ensure the insulation in your walls is sufficient. Keep a watchful eye for signs of a potential mold problem such as odor or visible discoloration.
Conclusion
Mold is an opportunist, and it will take hold in your house given the slightest opportunity. Don’t give mold the opportunity to affect your house or the lives of those who live in it. Some simple mold proofing can go a long way when it comes to keeping your home mold free. Follow these simple suggestions and keep your family and pocketbook safe.
1 comment
As a homeowner, there are endless projects and ways that you would rather spend your money, however by mold proofing your home is one of the most worthwhile investments you can make. One of the best ways to deal with mold in the home is to prevent it from happening in the first place.