In the summer, it is very common to close up our homes and turn on the air conditioner to keep cool. But, this limits the airflow in a house, which can have the unintended effect of causing mold growth. Surfaces such as wallpaper, drywall, ceiling tiles, and even your carpet can develop mold.
This not only makes your home less attractive but can also cause health problems. It can potentially lead to respiratory problems, eye irritation, sore throat, and even lung irritation, among others. However, there are some things that you can do to help prevent mold growth in your home this summer, and we will discuss some of these in this article.
Increase the Air Flow in Your Home
Mold can grow almost anywhere in your home. Although, it is most common in particularly moist areas such as your kitchen and bathroom. This is due to the humidity in these areas. Cooking food on your stove or in the microwave creates steam which increases the humidity level in the room. Washing dishes in hot water, whether in the dishwasher or the sink, also creates steam, thus increasing the humidity in the room. Therefore, unless the kitchen is well ventilated, the moisture can settle on surfaces in the kitchen and potentially lead to mold. This makes it essential to keep good airflow in the kitchen, whether by opening a window or running a fan. You may even want to consider purchasing a humidifier if your kitchen is particularly humid.
Prevent Moisture Buildup in Your Bathroom
Your bathroom is probably the most humid room in your home. This is not surprising due to the presence of standing water in your bathroom from the toilet tank and bowl and maybe in your shower to some extent. Also, any time you take a shower or bath, this increases the humidity level in the bathroom. You can help to lower the humidity level by running your bathroom fan while you bathe or shower as well as after if you have a built-in fan.
Another way to help lower the humidity level in your bathroom is to open the window in the room if it has a window. If your bathroom does not have a built-in fan or window, you could consider using a standing fan to air out the room for a while after a bath or shower. But, of course, always be careful when plugging in appliances in a wet room. You can also help prevent mold by wiping dry any wet surfaces in the bathroom.
Control Your Home’s Humidity
Moisture in your home can cause mildew and mold. This makes it essential to control the humidity level in your home since high humidity in any one area can potentially lead to moisture. Generally, it is best to keep the humidity level in your home under forty percent. This isn’t always easy since many daily activities such as showering and cooking can increase the humidity level in your home. Therefore, you may need a dehumidifier in order to achieve this level of humidity.
Final Thoughts
Keeping your home mold-free during the summer can be difficult since many people use air conditioning to keep their home cool, which means closing the windows and sealing the house to save energy while running the air conditioning. This lack of airflow can increase the humidity levels in your home, especially in the bathroom and kitchen areas, thus leading to mold. So, try following the tips in this article to prevent mold in your home and the need for expensive mold remediation should your home develop a serious mold problem.
Contact Us
If your home is suffering from a mold problem, contact Restore Pro. Our certified mold remediation experts have decades of experience restoring homes and businesses from the harmful effects of mold. Call us at 1-800-847-0114 and connect with us on Facebook.
