How to Avoid Mold in Homes this Spring

Spring has finally arrived, meaning flowers are beginning to bloom and blossom, and rainy days are here to stay. Warmer temperatures and higher humidity become ideal conditions for things to grow—including less pleasant and hazardous things like mold and mildew.

Mold spores exist both outside and indoors, and they tend to multiply and grow quickly. There are thousands of varieties of mold, many of which we are exposed to without incident. However, there are many forms that can cause serious health issues and damage your home and belongings. It is essential to know how to regulate the humidity levels in your home to help reduce the growth of dangerous molds and keep your indoor air quality at peak levels.

Prevention is Key

Molds produce allergens that can cause allergic reactions if touched or inhaled. For those who suffer from asthma or severe allergies, exposure to mold can cause even more severe reactions. Mold is known to also irritate the eyes, skin, throat and lungs, potentially impacting your health in the short- and long-term.

Mold in homes also damages whatever it grows on. It feeds on organic materials such as wood, causing it to rot and fall apart. If left untreated, mold can eat away wallpaper, drywall, wooden studs and other structures, leading to ceilings collapsing and floorboards caving in. If it spreads enough, it can also destroy your furniture, clothing and other important belongings.

Prevention is key with mold, and you can avoid growth with:

• Proper Ventilation. Ventilation is a key element in preventing mold growth. If the airflow in your home is restricted and moisture levels are high, you create the ideal environment for mold to grow and thrive. Make sure the vents in your home are clean—this includes interior and exterior vents. A good rule of thumb is to schedule a deep clean of the ventilation system with the HVAC experts at Bradley Mechanical at the first sign of spring. Our team will ensure your system is working efficiently to control humidity levels.
• Crawl Space Sealing. Unsealed crawl spaces are breeding grounds for mold. Sealing and insulating your crawl space can help prevent mold from growing and kill any mold that has already formed. It is not only a great way to reduce space in your home for mold to grow, but it can also save you money on energy costs.
• Dehumidifiers. Spring can be one of the worst seasons for fighting mold because of the heavy rains and rise in humidity. However, we have a great tool to control indoor moisture levels: Dehumidifiers. Because mold thrives in areas that have considerable amounts of moisture, installing a dehumidifier can help significantly reduce the level of moisture in your home. When the humidity level drops below 60%, mold spores are less likely to grow or spread.
• Pipe & Faucet Fixes. Old, rusty pipes and leaky faucets contribute to a wet environment for mold to grow. If you know of any leaks, no matter how small, now is the time to fix them. Sometimes leaks aren’t as obvious as we’d like, so keep an eye on your water bill for sudden spikes in water usage.

Finding Mold in the House?

If you’re in a situation where mold has already grown, and you need to remove the mold in house, there are fortunately a number of ways you can take care of it. Small amounts of mold can be removed with proper cleaning solutions that have mold-killing ingredients like bleach.

However, if you have a severe mold infestation, it’s time to call in the pros. After all, a small sign of mold could be hiding an infestation behind or under your: 

• Walls 
• Flooring 
• Ceiling 
• Woodwork 
• Furniture

House mold is nothing to take lightly. In addition to health hazards, it can wreak havoc on your home performance levels, as mold is often the first sign of a bigger problem. If you are having problems with mold growth in your home, give Bradley Mechanical a call today. Our trained team of professionals can perform multiple home performance tests to help determine what your home needs to create a healthier environment. Additionally, our mold remediation specialists have the proper tools and follow strict safety guidelines to keep you and your family from additional harm caused by mold.

Whether it’s a ventilation system cleaning, HVAC repair, humidity control or crawl space sealing, we have the experts who know how to fix it. We have been helping families and businesses in our community keep their indoor environments healthy and clean for over 50 years.