Preventing Mold Growth
Preventing mold growth is better and cheaper than trying to remove it after growth.
Suggested steps you can take to prevent mold growth in your home
- Reducing moisture content in your home will reduce the possibility of mold growth. Moisture is the only element mold needs that you can control to some extent. The other elements: air, food source and temperature are practically difficult to control. Very few molds can grow at a humidity less than 60%. Therefore keep your home’s humidity low. You may want to consider a dehumidifier if necessary.
- Repair leaking pipes, roofs and window sills immediately. Mold requires persistent moisture for the spores to germinate and and grow. A leak won’t cause mold to grow if you clean up the water and repair the problem within 24-48 hours.
- Ensure your house has positive drainage. In other words, rain water should drain away from your house, not into the basement.
- Areas such as sinks, showers, laundry rooms and bathtubs should be kept free of standing water.
- Inspect your home’s interior (and even exterior) regularly for moisture intrusion. Any visible mold growth indoors no matter how little should be removed. If visible mold is not removed it provides more spores for new mold growth.
- Ensure your house is well ventilated.
- Keep your house as dust free as possible by vacuum cleaning the carpet, upholstery and mattresses as regularly as possible. Spores settled in dust on surfaces start new mold growth once moisture becomes available.
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Dr. Jackson Kung’u is a Microbiologist who has specialized in the field of mycology (the study of moulds and yeasts). He graduated from the University of Kent at Canterbury, UK, with a Masters degree in Fungal Technology and a PhD in Microbiology. Jackson has analyzed thousands of mould samples from across Canada. He also regularly teaches a course on how to recognize mould, perform effective sampling and interpret laboratory results. Jackson provides how-to advice on mould and bacteria issues.
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