As part of home maintenance, it is important to have a plan to prevent and to remove any mold that forms in your home. Mold can grow inside or outside your home. When you’ve got mold in your home or on your property, it’s an indication of excessive moisture. This can happen due to a leak, flooding or lack of sufficient ventilation. Mold can progress rapidly, so it is important to know how mold can harm you and your home, and then take effective measures to stop it.
Health Dangers of Mold
When mold develops, it can lead to irritating conditions such as coughing, skin irritation, eye infections, and throat and nasal congestion. For people with asthma, this can worsen their condition. Mold can have a very negative effect on the health of your family especially if it persists for a prolonged period of time.
Unfortunately, mold can appear anywhere. You may see mold in an airway, an air conditioning system or a window. Mold can show up in the bathroom by the bathtub, toilet, sink and shower areas. Mold can form in between tiles and also around vents. Anywhere that moisture can build up, mold can form!
Both attics and basements are highly susceptible to mold development. You can detect mold by sight and smell – usually a musty odor. Mold begins often with a discoloration on a surface and then darkens over time.
Stopping Mold
The faster you respond, the easier it will be for you to remove the mold. This begins with checking the humidity level inside your home to checking gutters and roofs. Gutter Helmet’s gutter guards offer a very effective way of stopping moisture intrusion from clogged gutters.
Filtering out wet leaves and matter around the foundation of your home with leaf filters and Gutter Helmet® gutter guards, prevents the build-up of moisture. One of the most important steps you can take is to immediately address any wetness you see. You will want to clean anything that is wet with detergent and water first before drying. You may also want to use bleach to clean out any mold with a ratio of one cup of bleach to one gallon of water. Be sure to dry out any wet floors, walls, carpeting and furniture within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold from forming.
Finally, check for proper ventilation inside your home to prevent mold from building up. This ranges from the kitchen area to bathrooms. Installing a dehumidifier or using an air conditioner can also help prevent the build-up of moisture.
Gutter Helmet helps you stop problems before they begin! Call us at (800) 824-3772 for help installing new gutter guards, and keep the mold away.