Mold Prevention

Mold is one of the most common problems in residential structures mainly because it poses a hazardous threat on the health and well being of family members and at the same time wreck damage on properties. We all naturally assume that fungi grow on moist surfaces. However, recent studies unraveled the fact that molds don’t really need water to grow but would only require a relative humidity of 65% to 99% to convert your home into a breeding ground. This is why one of the best-known mold prevention methods is to keep the relative humidity down by 50% to inhibit the growth of molds and mildew.

The basement is said to be a highly mold-prone area because of its high humidity level. So how do you actually go about preventing mold growth? One of the highly recommended mold prevention remedies is to get a dehumidifier to effectively lower the humidity level. There are various types of dehumidifier in the market today, whether you merely want the portable ones you can carry around from one room to another or a whole house dehumidifier system, if you can afford one.

There are other mold prevention products that you can also use aside from a dehumidifier, such as heat recovery ventilator for your kitchen, bathroom and laundry area. This device will effectively keep the humidity level down and at the same time filter the incoming air by removing all airborne mold spores and pollens. Other popular mold prevention products in the market are the FortiCel that ensures full coverage on prohibiting the growth of mold and MycoDyne that is especially designed for interior constructions. However, this requires you in contact with strong chemicals, so if have no proper gear and the knowledge, you might as well leave the application to the experts.

Among the deadliest variety of mold are the black molds or what is otherwise known as the toxic mold. This particular type can trigger more serious health complications than any other member of the fungi family. So if you have detected its presence in any area of your house, it definitely calls for immediate action lest you will run the risk of actually contaminating your food or inhaling deadly allergens. The best thing to do is to treat it with the aforementioned mold prevention products. However, a quick guide on how to prevent black mold growth or effectively control its proliferation is to conduct thorough inspections on pipes for any leakages or any other water intrusions. You should also check the roof, windows, basement and gutters for any telltale signs of mold growth. You should also provide proper ventilation for combustible appliances, such as fireplaces, furnaces, water heaters, ovens, stoves and clothes dryers. This can be done by installing hood fans and making sure any ventilation system of appliances should be left unblocked. This is because such appliances usually produce water vapor and would lead to a palpable increase of humidity in the air. An air purifier should also come handy in purifying the air for any airborne particulate.

However, for people who have yet to construct their homes or in the remodeling process and are greatly interested in keeping mold away, the answer actually relies on the quality of workmanship and paper tar. Yes, you heard it right – paper tar actually plays a big role in warding off mold and mildew growth. The main reason why a lot of old homes were practically resistant to mold is due to the fact that it was a common practice to sandwich layers of paper tar in between wood frames and sheaths and even in the finished surfaces that is directly expose to the elements. This technique will effectively shield the wood from actually getting wet and generally keeping out moisture. A lot of builders nowadays do not adhere to this method, so may sure to check with your contractor and discuss the possibilities and work towards mold proofing your home.