Mold Inspection Tips

3/28/2019

After a wet winter, it is important to check your home for mold, starting with your roof. Mold requires four things to grow – water, oxygen, food and the temperature to be between 41° and 104°F. The latter 3 are difficult to control and maintain a comfortable living environment, leaving us with water as the main factor we have control of.

It’s virtually impossible to keep your home completely free of moisture, but we are able to make sure our homes are set up to be conducive for drying. So making sure your attic is properly ventilated is crucial. Proper ventilation allows consistent airflow which will aid in the drying process for any moisture that squeezes it’s way into your home.

Other parts of your home are not as easy to keep free from moisture. If you’re worried about mold in your home, follow the steps below:

• Thoroughly inspect your basement walls for damp walls or cracks where moisture can seep through

• Check for any instances of leaky plumbing. Fix all leaks and dry all items completely after being fixed. 

• If mold is present, scrub with detergent and water and dry completely when finished.

• Inspect the exterior of your home at ground level for any areas where water is collecting. Take measures to divert water from any areas where collection occurs.

Safety First

It’s no secret that mold is harmful, so make sure you take the proper precautions when removing mold. Make sure to cover your hands and face to minimize exposure and use a fan to blow air from the space out of the house to further prevent inhalation. If while cleaning you begin to experience allergy-like symptoms, you may need to consult a professional to have the mold removed.

Over the past few years, innovations in building technology have been made to make our homes more energy efficient. However, some of these innovations have made our homes more conducive to growing mold. The best way to keep your family safe is to be aware of the signs of mold and to make sure to routinely inspect your home.