There are some things that no one likes to see in their home, and mold is near the top of the list of unwelcome guests, alongside pests. Mold is pretty common, but it can be a source of stress as it can be hard to remove. This is why it is essential to try and prevent mold from forming in your home.
Why is Mold in the Home Bad?
There are many reasons why mold is harmful to both your home and your health. Mold not only looks unpleasant, but it can also cause damage to your property if left unchecked, as it is a sign that excessive moisture is present. Some people are allergic to mold; for these people, the presence of mold in their homes can exacerbate asthma symptoms and worsen existing breathing problems.
Preventing Mold
Mold can grow indoors for several reasons, but the root cause of mold is excess moisture in your home. Here are some of the ways that you can prevent mold:
Keep Your Home Well-Ventilated
Condensation is a primary cause of mold. This is why mold is often found in rooms that get steamed up, such as the kitchen and bathroom. To reduce condensation in your home, it is advisable to keep the windows open while you are cooking and after showering so that the steam can escape the room.
Drying clothing indoors can also cause mold, so where possible, try to dry your clothes outside in the open air rather than within your home.
Keep Your Guttering Clear
Your gutters can cause a whole host of problems if they become broken or clogged, so regular gutter cleaning is an essential home maintenance task. If your guttering becomes blocked with fallen leaves and other debris, it can lead to rainwater overflowing and running down the side of your house. If this keeps happening, the rainwater will penetrate through the wall and cause mold to grow on your interior walls. Luckily, this issue can be easily avoided by getting your gutters professionally cleaned and keeping an eye on your guttering for signs of potential damage and signs that they are blocked. You can also get new rainwater hoppers; these help with keeping debris away from your gutters, making life much easier.
Look Out for Leaks
Sometimes, leaks can remain undetected for years. There are a few ways that you can ensure that leaks do not go undetected in your home. Firstly, ensure that your bathtub, showers, and sinks have been sealed correctly. This will help prevent water from seeping through any gaps and causing a slow leak. It is also crucial that you never ignore a suspected leak and take steps to resolve the issue before it causes chaos. You can spot potential leaks by keeping a lookout for damp patches and mold forming in definite places around your home and also by monitoring your water consumption to see if you are using far more water than usual.
As you can see, there are many reasons why mold grows, but looking out for the signs will help to stop it in its tracks.
