How to Stop the Spread of Mold in Your Home | SERVPRO® of Western Dutchess County

9/18/2020 (Permalink)

If you're seeing or smelling something "off," then it's time to call in the experts in mold remediation!

While mold is beneficial to outdoor ecosystems and compost bins, having mold growing in your Poughkeepsie home is not a positive situation. Because of the health issues associated with mold exposure and the long-term damage it can cause to surfaces and structures, leaving mold untreated can cause extreme problems later on.

So how can homeowners tackle the issue of mold? Understanding the nature of mold, implementing ways to discourage its spread and knowing when it is time to call in the pros will help keep your home mold-free and healthy.

How Does Mold Spread Through the Home?

Mold spores are found in almost every environment, both indoors and outdoors, at all times of the year. As airborne spores, they are able to float around and search for the perfect place to land and multiply.

Mold spores commonly travel through air ducts to places in the home that have high moisture or humidity. By preventing mold from finding an ideal environment, homeowners can generally stop the problem before it has a chance to begin.

Ways to Discourage Mold From Growing

Because mold spores are always present, there is no way to completely remove mold from the environment. However, using methods to be proactive about preventing mold spores from spreading can help you from unknowingly starting a mold colony:

1. Keep humidity down. Mold is moisture’s No. 1 fan, so keeping the overall moisture levels in the home down is the best course of action. Invest in dehumidifiers to keep indoor humidity low, especially in areas such as bathrooms and basements.
2. Fix leaks immediately. If water is entering your home, either through the roof or seepage into the foundation, make necessary repairs to stop leaks and implement landscaping updates to reroute water from the home.
3. Use exhaust fans. In the bathroom and kitchen, make use of exhaust fans to divert steam out of the room, and consider opening windows when washing dishes or showering to increase circulation.
4. Always call the pros. When you find mold, it is essential to get it promptly and professionally addressed to stop it from growing or spreading to other areas of the house through the air or HVAC system. 

If left untreated, mold can cause serious health effects, especially for the elderly or those prone to allergies. By reducing moisture and getting professional help when necessary, you can discourage mold from growing in the first place and keep the problem from getting out of hand if it does.

If you have experienced mold growth in your home, it is important to get it addressed right away! We are fully certified in mold remediation so we can stop the problem from spreading. Our estimates are free, give us a call today so we can help get rid of that mold!