Removing mold from your home will improve its air quality and make your home more appealing. Studies have found that 70% of U.S. homes have mold problems. Household mold is more likely to occur during the autumn and winter due to warm, humid air. If your home has a mold issue, it will usually be because you’re doing things to cause it. So, let’s find out what they could be so you can act now.
Drying your washing indoors
When the weather is cold and wet, it’s difficult to get the washing dry without hanging it up inside your home. But when you do this, the moisture in your home can go up by 30%. The more moisture in your home, the more likely mold will grow. Wherever possible, hang your washing outside to dry. Even if it only partially dries, it’s better than that water circulating in your home. You could use a dryer to dry your clothes instead. If you do want to continue drying your clothes inside, put a dehumidifier and an air purifier in the room with your washing. A dehumidifier will remove moisture from the air and quicken up the drying time. Air purifiers work well as they remove mold spores from the air.
Not airing your home
A cold house is the last thing you want in the winter, which is why many homeowners don’t open their windows. However, you need to ventilate your home throughout the year to prevent the onset of mold. Signs you’ve got mold growing in your home include, visibly seeing it, mold-related bugs, and health problems, such as a constant runny nose and itchy eyes. A bad odor in your home is another sign that there’s mold growing. This is usually caused by poor ventilation, which is why you need to open the windows. Just 15 to 20 minutes per day is enough to freshen your home up and keep mold at bay.
Delaying fixing issues
Winter is a time for mold because bad weather is more likely to damage your home. For example, a storm can rip roof tiles off your roof. If you’re not aware of this and don’t fix it straight away, water will seep in and mold will grow. It’s advisable to check your roof after every storm or, at least, at the end of winter. Burst pipes are another source of dampness and mold. When the temperature outside falls to 20 degrees F, the pipes inside your home may begin to freeze. The excess pressure can then cause them to burst. You can stop this from happening by keeping your home warm and encouraging warm air to get to the pipes by keeping cupboard doors open. Thermal heat tape can also be applied to pipes to keep them warm.
Mold is a problem that many households have to deal with. But there may be things that you’re doing that are making the issue worse. Try following these tips to see if they help your mold problem.
