Tips For Preventing Mold Growth at Home

2/17/2022 (Permalink)

How to Prevent Mold Growth in Your Home

Do you know what’s scarier than a horror film? Having mold present in your home and not discovering it until it’s too late. While this natural substance tends to form unannounced in many households across the country (as much as 50%, according to This Old House), it is not something to take lightly. 

Aside from its unsettling appearance, mold can bring on indoor allergies, fever-like symptoms, and cause severe complications for the immune-compromised or those that have a chronic lung disease.

To lessen the chance of mold from forming in your home, the Long Island mold remediation and restoration team at SERVPRO of Ronkonkoma is here to help share a few pro tips on how to make that happen.

Treat Water Damage Immediately

Whether your home sustained water damage from Mother Nature or a burst pipe, it’s imperative to have the damage treated right away — specifically, twenty-four to forty-eight hours after the catastrophic event. Time is of the essence because any remaining H2O that is not cleaned up has the potential to migrate into other areas of your home (e.g., ceilings) and develop into mold.

The minute your home experiences water damage, have it treated immediately with help from the Suffolk County water damage repair and restoration experts at SERVPRO of Ronkonkoma.

Repair Leaks Right Away

Speaking of water damage, it’s vital to have plumbing leaks repaired the second they’re detected or suspected. Regardless of the size or severity, any trace of water that “strays from the path” of the plumbing pipe, as mentioned earlier, can sneak into a crevice (e.g., walls) and cause hidden mold to form — and you may not be aware of it until the mold has taken its course. 

Another thing to consider: Undiagnosed plumbing leaks can waste an alarming amount of water over time; the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) reports that the average household’s leaks waste approximately 10,000 gallons of water per year. 

In a conscious effort to ensure there are no plumbing leaks in your home, you should entrust the help of a licensed plumber to perform a plumbing inspection and fix any leaks. But, if your home sustains water damage of any volume, contact our team to clean up the aftermath of the damage properly and thoroughly.

Regulate the Humidity

Did you know that mold can form out of thin air? Well, sort of — if the humidity levels in your home are not regulated, all of that excess moisture present can make your humble abode a breeding ground for mold. To lessen the chance of this occurring, consider purchasing a hygrometer to keep a close eye on your home’s humidity level.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that the humidity levels in your house should not surpass 50% all day. Now, in a conscious effort to keep your home’s humidity at bay, it’s best to invest in a dehumidifier. 

In addition to protecting your respiratory health, a dehumidifier will help reduce the potential for mold to form on furniture, bedsheets, and more, as well as dust accumulation. By using a dehumidifier, mold can be controlled, and its growth inhibited.

Let Us Be Your Mold Remediation and Restoration Professionals!

If mold is present in your Suffolk County home, the mold remediation and restoration professionals at SERVPRO of Ronkonkoma are here to help. Our highly-trained staff has years of experience locating mold and the source of its growth, removing the fungus, and preventing its return effectively.

The second you spot signs of mold, give us a call at (631) 585-0007!