Residents in the Temecula and Escondido area know that the moist climate can make it very difficult to control mold growth. Unfortunately, mold is present throughout the environment. When you locate a small amount of mold, there are several things that you can do to remove it and prevent future growth in your home. But first, it is helpful to know a little bit about this fungus and what it needs to thrive.
3 Things Mold Needs To Grow
Like most living things, mold requires a few things to live and grow in any environment. First, it needs food. Mold can feed on most building materials like wood, drywall, and cardboard. Second, it needs a specific temperature range to survive, which is between 40 and 100 degrees F. Finally, mold requires moisture to survive. If you can eliminate any or all of these three things, mold will not be able to live in your home.
Tips For Stopping Mold Growth Inside Your Home
Unfortunately, you cannot eliminate all of the mold’s food sources from your home because it can consume almost all common building materials. In addition, you would not be comfortable in your home if you maintained a temperature that is not conducive to mold growth. So the only way to have an impact on mold growth is to work diligently to control the moisture and humidity inside your home.
- Ideally, keep the humidity below 60%.
- Dry up spills or other water as soon as possible. It only takes two days for mold to appear.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces that appear to be prone to mold growth- steam cleaning is a good option in many cases.
- Repair water leaks immediately, including old pipes, leaks in the roof, foundation, walls, and HVAC drains.
- Dry items entirely before storing them
- Improve airflow as much as possible, open closet doors regularly, move furniture away from walls, and open windows to increase ventilation as often as possible.
- Monitor the moisture and ventilation in the basement, install a sump pump, use a dehumidifier, insulate the walls, and dry the space as quickly as possible when there is excessive moisture.
Moist Areas Of Your Home
Your home’s kitchen and bathroom are the most prone to excessive humidity. When cooking, turn on any exhaust fans to remove steam or added moisture in the air. Dry any spills and dry dishes rather than letting them air dry on a towel. Place wet towels in the dryer to reduce the potential for mold growth.
In the bathroom, always use an exhaust fan when showering to remove as much steam as possible. Use bathmats to reduce standing water on the floor. And place wet towels in the dryer to eliminate added moisture.
Clean both of these potentially moist rooms with mold-killing liquids like vinegar, bleach, or hydrogen peroxide to reduce the chances of future mold growth. If these steps do not eliminate your mold issues, call 951-225-1570 to speak to the mold remediation experts at Renovation Pros.
