Mold can damage both your house and your health. If you find mold in your home, you may need to spend a lot of money to repair the damage. The cost can reach into five figures if it’s a big problem. According to the CDC, mold can cause throat irritation, coughing and wheezing, eye and skin irritation, a stuffy nose, and more intense reaction and people with mold allergies. Thankfully you can deal with mold without spending a huge amount of money. Mold prevention goes a long way into keeping you healthy and stopping mold before it starts. Will go through 5 tips to prevent mold.

How Can I Prevent Mold From Growing and Spreading?

Cut Down on Clutter

A cluttered home isn’t just an eyesore that can help cause mold. Clutter stops air from flowing throughout your home and stops your HVAC system from doing its job of circulating air. This creates moisture in your home, which allows mold to grow.

Make sure drapes and furniture aren’t covering your HVAC vents. Throw out items you don’t need, and keep clutter to a minimum. If you notice humidity in your home turn on some fans to circulate the air.

Make Sure Your Windows and Doors Are Closed When You Run the AC

You’re losing money when you run the AC with open windows and doors. Your AC needs to work harder to lower the temperature. The mix of humid air from outside the house into the cool house creates condensation. Mold thrives on condensation and can easily grow in this environment.

It’s best to leave your thermostat set to 80 when you go to work or on vacation. Turning the AC off entirely or setting the thermostat higher create problems. The higher temperature mixed with humidity creates a perfect environment for mold.

Use a Dehumidifier

Dehumidifiers get rid of excess humidity in the air. These were great in areas that receive a lot of humidity. A whole house dehumidifier range in price from about $1100-$1800. They attached to your furnace and treated air all over your home. They connect to drain, so you don’t have to worry about emptying anything.

If you only deal with excessive humidity on occasion you can get a portable dehumidifier. These portable units run anywhere between $150 and $200. Most need emptying when they fill with water. These generally have a safety shut off so that the tank doesn’t overflow. Some use a hose hook up that drains the water automatically.

What Kind of Ongoing Maintenance Can I Do to Prevent Mold Growth?

One area of your home to look at for maintenance is your bathroom. Mold thrives on the water and moisture, and bathrooms are a prime area for water and moisture.

Shower Squeegee

Use the squeegee after you shower to wipe excess moisture off of the walls and any glass. This gets rid of any extra moisture and prevents mold from building up. When there is no moisture in your bathroom, it prevents mold from forming.

Bathroom Fans

Bathroom fans are a great way to prevent mold. They help take moisture out of the air. Think about how steamy and wet your bathroom gets after a nice hot shower. All that moisture stays in your bathroom. A fan helps to pull that moisture out and prevents mold from growing.

Try leaving the fan running for about 30 minutes after you shower. This should get the majority of moisture out of the air.

Care for Your Tile

The tile in your bathroom takes a beating. It’s constantly getting wet, and the grout needs extra care. Grout breaks down overtime which means water leaks beneath the tile. This leaking water can lead to mold growth. You need to reseal your grout regularly to make sure it stays intact.

New Fixtures and Appliances

Replacing all toilets and faucets can help prevent mold. Replacing them with stainless steel faucets and toilets helps more than you think. Stainless steel helps fight mold as well as new toilet technology. If you have an old bathroom, you might want to consider about remodeling.

Your floors are another area to look at.

Vacuum Regularly

Vacuuming might seem unrelated to preventing mold growth, but it’s not. Mold thrives with an organic substance. Things like dust, pollen, and dirt are molds best friend. Your vacuum removes these items from flooring and carpeting helping to prevent mold. Vacuums also push some of these substances into the air allowing your air conditioner to filter it out.

When to Call a Professional

If you see mold in your home, it’s a good idea to call a professional. You should also call a professional if you find standing water in your home. A professional can assess the damage and mold growth. A good professional can get rid of the damage and make sure the mold is eliminated.