Don’t Let Your Wappingers Home Feel At Home For Mold!

10/2/2020 (Permalink)

Some simple prevention tips can help your home be less inviting for mold growth!

In any home, moisture and dampness are problems that will eventually happen. 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! Mold spores organically occur in the environment so you can’t eradicate them completely. Thankfully, you can prevent mold from becoming your tenant through a bit of prevention.

SERVPRO of Western Dutchess County has been locally owned and operated for over 28 years with mold remediation being a cornerstone of our business. We’re proud to say we have the experts in the industry, so we’re familiar with the many surprises that make up mold growth. No one wants a mold infestation, so we’re going room by room with helpful prevention tips-

The Laundry Room:

Laundry rooms aren’t usually 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. Get a plumbing professional to make those repairs asap.
• Don’t let clothes to sit in the washing machine even after just one cycle. That nasty smell you might find after they’ve been wet for days is the start of mold, wash them again, use warm or hot water, and make sure they get to the dryer quickly!
• Let the washer and dryer air out after use. If you have a front-loading washer, clean the rubber seal after each use and leave the door ajar.
• Check the dryer vents for excessive lint—it can encourage mold to spawn. (This is also a fire safety issue, keep those vents and ducts cleaned out!)

The Bathroom:

Usually 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:

• 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. If you see any discolorations or spots, toss it out.
• 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. Metal shelving racks are an inexpensive way to keep everything off the floor and away from potentially moldy walls.
• Insulate piping to guard against bursting and leaks. This is an easy and wallet-friendly way of avoiding burst pipes (which can create massive water damage problems).
• Regularly inspect foundation and walls for water. Ground water intrusion and foundation cracks will need to be dealt with by a licensed professional so the problem won’t happen every time a good rain occurs.
• Consider a sump pump if water collecting is a regular occurrence. They can be a big help BUT make sure you have back up power to it in the event of electricity loss.

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

24/7, we can make it “Like it never even happened.”