One of the best ways to combat mold growth in your home is to prevent it from growing in the first place. Mold isn’t just ugly and unsightly, it is also unhealthy. Mold thrives in environments with excess moisture in the air. Therefore, increasing the airflow within your home can help prevent the need for mold restoration in the future. Here are a few tips you can follow to safeguard your home against mold growth and improve the overall interior air quality, making it a healthier environment for everyone in your household.
Open Windows
One of the easiest ways you can improve your home’s air flow is to open windows and doors when the weather permits it. If you are able to open windows and doors on opposite sides of the home you’ll create cross-ventilation. This will allow fresh air to flow into your home, carrying excess humidity and moisture out with it. If you live in an area that doesn’t get a breeze very often, you can simulate a breeze by positioning a fan in or near a window, pointed into the living space.
Install Fans
Fans can play a double role in your home, as they not only help improve the air circulation but also help keep you cool in the hot summer months. In a standard home, you can commonly find ceiling fans, bathroom fans, attic fans, and kitchen exhaust fans. Bathroom exhaust fans are especially helpful because bathrooms are notoriously humid. Bathroom fans vent the humid air directly outside the home, while drawing in fresh air to help dry out everything.
It is important to remember that if your home has an attic, you’ll want to vent the space to prevent moisture from accumulating. This can be achieved by installing a whole-house fan in the floor of your attic. This type of fan will draw the hot, stale air from your home up from the entire house. When you operate the fan, remember to open windows and/or doors.
Other options include using your kitchen fan when cooking, as it will help reduce excess moisture. Another option is to run the “fan only” option on your HVAC system to move the air in your home and improve the airflow throughout.
Add a Dehumidifier
Because mold thrives in humid conditions, adding a dehumidifier to your home can cut down on the amount of moisture and prevent mold from growing. They are great for areas of your home that tend to have poor airflow or higher levels of humidity, such as basements or attics.
Despite your best efforts, mold may still grow. If you discover mold and need mold restoration, it is important to call experts. The experts at Entrusted know how to safely remove mold so that it no longer poses a health concern to you and your family.