First-Time Homeowner Tips: Keeping The Mold Away In Your New Home

What’s good about a new home is that you want to maintain its beauty all the time. You want it to be perfect as much as possible. That’s why you spend time and money to decorate your home– styling it and cleaning it whenever you can. You try to avoid anything that can make the house look dirty or even ruin it.

One of the common problems encountered in homes is the formation of molds. Common areas wherein mold can grow in the house are the kitchen, bathroom, basement, and crawl spaces.

Aside from being an eyesore, it can pose health issues like allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems. Immunocompromised individuals may have worsened conditions due to mold exposure as well.

What Are Molds, Anyway?

Molds are fungus and common in households. It occurs anywhere in the world where there are most environments. In large quantities, it can cause health hazards. Mold colors vary from black, blue, red, and green. It also has a distinct offensive odor.

Keeping away molds in your home should be a top priority for homeowners, especially for new ones. Here are some tips on how to do that:

• Keep Dry

  Mold cannot grow without moisture. That is why the simple trick of keeping things dry can help a lot in preventing mold problems. Whether it is a leaky pipe, wet clothes, or a spill in the carpet, make sure to address it immediately.

  In addition, do not leave any wet items lying around the house, and make sure to keep the bathroom floor and walls dry after a shower. If there are wet clothes, hang them to dry outside the house or anywhere with good ventilation.

• Maintain Cleanliness

  Another simple way of preventing mold growth is keeping the house clean at all times. Throw away things that are not being used and may grow molds when it gets wet like old carpets and mattresses. Do not just keep old things in the basement to avoid it turning into a perfect environment in growing molds.

• Make Sure There is Proper Ventilation

  Routine domestic activities like cooking, taking a shower, or doing your laundry can encourage mold growth. To avoid this, make sure that high-moisture areas are well ventilated.

  You can install a humidifier or a vent fan. You can also opt to put in an airconditioning unit that has an enhanced moisture removal feature. The simple tip of opening the window when washing dishes or showering can also do wonders.

mold hazmat suitmold removal respirator mask

      some mold remediation to consider      

• Monitor Humidity Levels

  Purchase a moisture meter from your local hardware store so you can monitor humidity levels in your home. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the recommended indoor humidity is between 30 to 60 percent.

  You can also identify high areas in your house by observing condensation in windows, pipes, and walls. Once done, dry the surface immediately and address the cause of moisture.

• Clean Roof Gutters

  Clogged roof gutters can cause mold problems either because they can cause a leak or house molds on their own. To prevent this situation, make sure to regularly clean your gutters and have them repaired if you notice any damages. Schedule a seasonal cleanup. It should be done more often if you live in an area with many trees.

• Allow Fresh Sir in Your Home

  Increase air circulation at home to prevent excess moisture. Open windows, especially if it is cold outside, for at least 15 minutes twice a day. Open doors in between rooms. You can also turn on your ceiling fans to increase air circulation.

• Keep Indoor Plants

  As nature has designed it, plants improve air quality. Introduce some indoor plants in your home. Some indoor plants that you can choose from include Snake Plants, Rubber Plants, Aloe Vera, Bamboo Palm, Boston Fern, and Dracaena.

• Don’t Neglect Home Maintenance

  Do not forget your home maintenance schedules to avoid more complicated problems in the future. To prevent molds from developing, schedule your HVAC maintenance twice a year. Have a once a year plumbing maintenance to detect any plumbing and moisture problems early.

other related articles of interest:

Most Common Places To Check for Mold in Your Home

Mold Removal: The Dangers Of Mold and How A Mold Expert Removes It

In Conclusion

Having a new home is something to be proud of as it is a significant accomplishment in life. Whether you intend to live there with your loved ones or to add it to your investments and grow a real estate business, you must properly take care of it.  Protect the house from any harmful elements and keep it mold-free so you can enjoy your new home for a long time.

Image credit: keeping mold away by twenty20.com

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