How to Prevent Mold in Your House

Mold is not only dangerous to your health, especially if you have breathing disorders, it is dangerous to the health and integrity of your house. Damp or wet conditions in your home provide the perfect environment for mold growth. Besides it's unsightliness and health implications, it can cause wood to rot, paint to peel and leave an odor.

Instructions

1. 

   Clean any obvious water damages areas well with bleach. Make sure to ventilate the area well. Wear a mask over your mouth and nose, safety goggles (not glasses because of the possibility of splashing) and rubber gloves.

2. 

   Start in your attic. Make sure your attic is well ventilated. Install roof and ridge vents, an attic fan and insulate. Repair any signs of daylight from holes or other damage.

3. 

   In the basement, patch any cracks in the walls or floor. Prime walls with a primer that has a mold growth resistant additive or an epoxy based water proofing sealer. Wrap pipes with piping insulation. Use a dehumidifier especially during warm months. Make sure your clothes dryer is vented to the outside of your house. If you have a dirt floor cover with vapor retardant sheets and pour concrete at least 4 inches thick.

4. 

   Keep your gutters clean. If your gutters are clogged water can back up, over the edge and seep under the edge of roofing shingles into your walls.

5. 

   Always keep your roof in good order. Replace loose roofing shingles. Make sure flashing around your chimney is tight and has no damage.

6. 

   On humid days keep windows shut and air conditioning on.
   Use flexible steel hose for washing machines, ice makers and dishwashers. Flexible steel hose is less likely to break compared to the plastic or rubber hose that comes with your appliances. Worth the extra couple of dollars investment.

Tips & Warnings

• Mold remediation is very important especially for toxic black mold.