Don’t Let Mold Be An Unwanted Guest In Your Home This Spring

April showers might bring May flowers, but all that wet weather can also encourage something a little more insidious to start taking root in your home: mold.

All that soggy spring weather, combined with rising humidity, creates an environment in your home that is super hospitable to mold spores and encourages them to take off their little shoes and get comfortable.

To combat this unwanted house guest, the first thing you need to do is understand is what you’re up against and then learn what steps you can take as you prepare you home for warmer weather to help prevent mold from settling in.

What’s wrong with a little mold?

Mold isn’t just an unsightly inconvenience growing up a wall — if left to grow unchecked, it could create a host of health concerns for a homeowner. During damp seasons and high mold growth, many people experience allergic reactions in the form of runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing and rashes. Some molds are potentially toxic and can cause much more severe reactions. It’s important to identify mold growth immediately before it causes property damage or creates health issues for those with a sensitivity to mold.

When it comes to mold, you also don’t have to see it to believe it. Sometimes it’s growing under carpeting or behind paneling and the only giveaway is a musty smell. If you are unsure whether mold is growing out of sight, or want to get a professional assessment of a visible mold issue, contact Stock Environmental Consultants to get an expert opinion based on over 20 years of experience.

Take Control of Moisture + Humidity

One of the best ways to keep mold growth at bay is by regulating moisture levels in your home. High moisture levels encourage mold spores — which are always present this time of year — to latch onto building surfaces like drywall, wood and insulation and begin to spread.

Installing a whole house humidifier is a year-round solution to regulating interior moisture levels. In the winter, it helps protect your home from the ravages of cold, dry winter air. In the spring and summer, the humidifier works to keep indoor moisture under control and not encourage mold growth.

Another option is a whole house electronic air cleaner. Mounted permanently to the home’s HVAC system, a whole house air cleaner uses ionization technology to charge particles making them stick to filters like a magnet.

How to prevent mold from growing in your home this spring.

As you begin to prepare your home for warmer weather this year, make sure to add these steps to prevent mold from becoming an unwanted summer guest:

• Clean out your gutters and keep them in working order.
• Fix water leaks from plumbing fixtures or pipes as soon as you find them.
• Wipe off condensation that may be found on windows, pipes, and walls.
• Water spills and leaks should be dried up immediately before mold has a chance to form.
• Minor mold growth can be scrubbed off of walls and other hard surfaces with water and detergent.
• Clean out the drip pans of your air conditioner.
• Try your best to keep the humidity level in your home below 60 percent.

Of course, it’s a relief for the warm weather to finally arrive, just make sure it doesn’t bring any unwanted guests who don’t want to leave.