Keep mold from making itself at home in your Fishkill home

10/7/2019 (Permalink)

Don't let mold become your new housemate! Follow a few important steps to help prevent growth.

In any home, moisture and dampness are problems that will eventually present themselves. Moisture from faucets, pipes or steam will encourage mold spores to move in, and once they’ve made themselves at home, they’re quite difficult to evict! Thankfully, you can help stop mold from becoming your new roommate through a bit of room-by-room prevention.

We understand mold remediation and have the experts in the industry, so we’re familiar with the many surprising places microbial growth can occur:

The Laundry Room:

A typical laundry room isn’t the site of standing moisture, but pipes and laundry machines can mask mold growth easily, especially if they’re located in a basement area that is naturally damp. To stop the growth before it starts:

• Check the pipes, joists and connectors for leaks. If you see a puddle, you have a problem.
• Never allow clothes to sit in the washing machine after a cycle. That nasty smell you might find after they’ve been wet for days is the start of mold, wash them again and make sure they get to the dryer quickly!
• Let the washer and dryer air out after use.
• Check the dryer vents for excessive lint—it can encourage mold to spawn.(This is also a hidden fire safety issue, keep those vents and ducts cleaned out!)

The Bathroom:

Ah, the culprit of many a water issue. There are a lot of water sources in the bathroom, so it’s not surprising that it’s one of mold’s ideal residences. Thankfully, preventing mold in the bathroom just takes a few tasks:

• Annually seal tile grout to prevent moisture from getting between cracks.
• Replace curtain liners and launder shower curtains. Curtain liners are inexpensive and allow mildew and mold to grow quickly.
• Open a window or install a vent fan to clear out steam quickly. Open the door when finished as well, the more air flow in, the better.
• Keep a close eye on the pipes and connections under the sink and toilets, replace as needed as they can cause extensive damages to multiple floors if they spring a leak or burst.

The Basement:

When people think basements, mold comes to mind. While they’re notorious for moisture accumulation, basements also have the most hands-off mold prevention strategies. Here’s how to keep your underground mold-free:

• Invest in an automatic dehumidifier, so moisture levels stay low to begin with. Try to keep humidity levels between 30-50% when using a dehumidifier.
• Clear out any clutter mold could hide behind. Cardboard boxes are like a free buffet for mold to thrive on.
• Insulate piping to guard against bursting and leaks.
• Regularly inspect foundation and walls for water.

If you need help with mold prevention or remediation, our team of experts at SERVPRO® of Western Dutchess County will be happy to help!