Summer’s warm hug brings longer days and vibrant outdoor activities, but one challenge that comes with decreased attention is an increase in humidity. High humidity works well for some plants, but it makes for easy mold growth that harms you and spoils your house. Keeping humidity levels low in the house during summer will help protect it against molds and maintain health and safety conditions.
Preventing mold growth is very important, especially with the summer season coming closer, and you have to do this as a homeowner. There are several ways through which homeowners are affected because of neglected mold, leading to various health problems. Nobody wishes to experience hot temperatures and become sick during summer. Whether or not you are one, each household should work towards seeing less or no mold during summer vacations, as it may be injurious. Read along and learn everything about stopping mildew from growing at home.
Why is Summer a Prominent Time for Mold Growth?
Although mold can grow in any type of home at any given time of year, it is most likely to do so during the summer. The presence of moisture and food can start fungus to start growing. In terms of food, houses are edible buffets for fungus. They will consume almost anything in their way, items like couches, books, and curtains; parts of the house foundation like wood, glue, windowsills, and drywall; and microscopic organic matter floating around like skin cells. This opens up the possibility of colonization on almost any surface.
Regarding moisture, common problems like leaks, faulty gutter installation, and basement flooding can encourage growth. However, there is another element that contributes to the possibility of colonization of molds during the summer: high humidity. For several reasons, this is a major problem. So, little moisture is needed for many species of mold to grow, and high air humidity levels can support their growth. High humidity, however, can lead to condensation inside the house, which is ideal for mold growth.
With high humidity and other common elements promoting growth, your property can quickly turn into a hotspot for contamination. Because of this, the best ways to avoid mold in the summer are to keep your home as dust-free as possible and to focus on controlling the moisture within.
Common Ways to Prevent Mold Growth During Summer
1. Good Ventilation
Poor ventilation in a home such as yours causes the growth of mold. Air contamination in an enclosed environment can hardly be combated without proper ventilation, leading to mold’s rapid spread and increase in homes. All HVAC systems must be kept in good working conditions for adequate pure air circulation.
When the days become less humid, open your windows for natural light and fresh air. Keep a window and door open to prevent excess moisture buildup after a shower. In addition, remember to turn on your bathroom fan. In addition, check the basement for leaks or musty odors in the shadows.
2. Repairing Leaks
Pipe leaks should be fixed without delays. Water damage results from leaks because the water doesn’t simply dry up. Call a plumber immediately to fix any leaky appliances or pipes, to avoid leading to water damage. Hiring plumbers to repair water damage or provide mold remediation services is a common practice that may lead to additional issues.
Neglecting mold remediation may lead to severe liability and expenses for the owner. Proper house maintenance can prevent any further mold problems. In times of emergency or natural disaster, it ensures speedy drying, repairs leaks, and dehumidifies the house. Wild floods or pipe busts are some of the main factors causing severe mold infestations and water destruction. When you are uncertain about removing the moisture, it would be advisable to employ the services of professionals dealing with mold remediation. Stopping mold from growing is easier than eradicating it.
3. Monitoring Humidity Levels
High air humidity can be especially problematic in the summer because mold requires water to grow. But once again, humidity is the biggest enemy; hence, this is a major move toward preventing summer mold.
To have a lower level of water vapor in your own house, you need to decrease humidity caused by indoor activities. First and foremost, all extra water remaining on walls or ceilings should be wiped away. Nevertheless, the correct functioning of the kitchen plus bathroom fans is crucial for moisture to be removed. Acquiring a dehumidifier may work if you reside in humid places.
4. Cleaning Appliances
Make sure to clean your machines in the summer to avoid fungus. To prevent moisture within the house, first clean your coils and replace the filters on your air conditioner sooner. The dehumidifiers need to be cleared and cleaned off to avoid fungus. Remember that mildew forms best in wet places. Therefore, dishwashers and refrigerators should always be checked frequently. Remove fungus from trays and seals simply by using water mixed with vinegar.
If you use washing machines, they should be especially front loaders, open doors to let air circulate and remain dry. For instance, you could run an empty hot wash with a cup of bleach or specialized cleaner periodically to sanitize and prevent mold growth, thereby substantially reducing the possibility of your house developing mold by having these regular cleanings carried out.
Mold Remediation Strategies
1. Moisture Issues
The initial procedure should be to identify and repair moisture challenges. Inspection should involve possible points where moisture might get into the house. Ensure you confirm that no trees or shrubs are near the building structure. Check if the courtyard’s slope is kept clean because land grading is supposed to be zero. Adequate ventilation creates favorable living conditions since it minimizes humidity indoors, thus discouraging the growth of mold.
2. Clean Mold Infestations
Your house will need less indoor activity pollution, so you must reduce humidity to lower water vapor. Concentrate, first of all, on getting rid of any extra moisture from wall or roof surfaces within the rooms. Proper performance of kitchen and bathroom ventilation systems is essential to prevent humidity. Homeowners can find dehumidifier reviews by visiting other websites, blogs, or forums.
Wear protective clothing, such as masks and gloves, to prevent mold spore exposure. If contaminated materials cannot be sufficiently cleaned, dispose of them. Examples of such materials are drywall and carpets.
3. Maintain Low Levels of Humidity
Maintaining proper humidity levels in your house is essential to stopping mold from growing. Ensure you have your home within the following parameters- 30% to 50%. To ventilate areas with high moisture content, like bathrooms and kitchens, use exhaust fans or simply open some windows.
The way to enhance the airflow in a room is by always cooking and keeping HVAC systems clean. So, in confined spaces such as wardrobes, one can use moisture absorbers like activated charcoal or Silica gel to ensure no high water vapor content around them.
Final Thought
It is necessary to control moisture to prevent mold from growing and maintain the environmental health of a house during summertime. Taking care of usual appliance cleaning, situations associated with water, and ensuring that there is less indoor air moisture are ways to keep mold away from your house.
People can live in a secure and comfortable environment through proactive measures and constant attention to detail. Consider these key suggestions to protect your home’s integrity and health during the sunny season when mold is least likely to trouble you.
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