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How to Prevent Mold in Your Home

December 7, 2024  |  Local Info, Mold Remediation, NC Disaster Services News

The sight of mold in your home can have you rushing to search for “mold remediation near me.” Getting a mold infestation taken care of by professionals is important to protect the health of everyone who lives in your house.

The best strategy for a healthy home is to prevent mold from forming in the first place. A few careful steps taken in advance can protect your home and its occupants from the harmful effects of breathing in mold spores.

Here’s what you can do to minimize the chance that your home will be infested with fungus:

• Limit moisture. Moisture is necessary for mold to grow. Reducing it begins with making sure the area around your foundation is properly graded and has good drainage. If you have water coming into your basement, you may need an interior French drain system, sump pump and/or waterproofing treatments on the walls.
• Run dehumidifiers, air conditioners and/or fans in areas prone to dampness. Use bathroom exhaust fans when showering. Kitchen exhaust fans and range hoods can remove steam and moisture from cooking.
• Be observant for leaks in plumbing and water-using appliances. Check around shower units after using them to make sure there’s no water seeping out. If you notice leaks anywhere in your home, dry up as much water as possible right away. Remove carpets and rugs that are wet or damp. Run fans or open windows to dry surfaces, and call a plumber to fix the leak as soon as possible.
• Check in the attic for roof leaks and have them repaired right away.
• If you suspect that your indoor air is too damp, use a hygrometer to measure the humidity. For best results it should be under 60%.
• Don’t store cardboard boxes, papers or tightly packed items in mold-prone areas. The more air circulation you can get in those areas, the better.

If you do find mold in your home, you can clean it off surfaces with household cleaner, diluted vinegar or a diluted bleach solution. However, on porous surfaces including drywall and wood, mold can go much deeper than you can see. Moldy drywall or wood and extensive mold need professional remediation.

NC Disaster Services has an experienced team of IICRC certified mold remediation experts on call. Our contractors offer mold remediation in Carteret, Craven, Lenior and Onslow counties in North Carolina. If you’re concerned about mold in your home, call us today at 252-725-8979 or search mold remediation near me in eastern North Carolina.

This post was written by NC Disaster Services.