Mold damage can be a common problem for many Anchorage homeowners that requires professional assistance to remediate. When left unchecked, mold in homes can cause serious health issues and unpleasant allergies for you and your family. Here are some tips you can use to keep mold at bay in your home:
Control Moisture
- Use dehumidifiers to keep indoor humidity levels below 60% (a good range to aim for is between 30-50%). Dehumidifiers are especially helpful during wet seasons and can help maintain humidity levels in your home to discourage mold growth.
- Create ventilation in areas prone to moisture, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. Use exhaust fans or open windows for even better ventilation whenever possible to reduce the chances of mold damage.
- Fix leaks promptly in roofs, walls, or from plumbing fixtures and pipes to prevent moisture buildup and mold damage inside your home.
Prevent Condensation
- Insulate your home properly to prevent condensation on walls, ceilings, and windows, which are common places where mold can grow and cause damage. Consider double-glazing windows to help reduce condensation even more.
- Maintain good air circulation using ceiling fans or even portable fans that promote more air movement throughout your home.
Keep Up On Cleaning And Maintenance
- Regularly cleaning bathrooms, kitchens, and other high-moisture areas will help discourage mold growth and prevent mold damage.
- Monitor and clean your HVAC system regularly including air ducts to stop mold spores in the air from traveling and spreading throughout your home.
Take Proper Outdoor Precautions
- Create proper drainage by ensuring that the ground slopes away from your home to prevent water accumulation around the foundation where mold can grow and thrive.
- Clean gutters and downspouts regularly to keep them free from buildup, debris, and blockages that can prevent water from flowing away from your home.
Attend to Seasonal Considerations
- Manage snow and ice buildup during the winter. Clear snow and ice from your roof and from around your foundation to prevent ice dams from forming and melting snow from causing water damage and instigating mold growth.
- Dry wet areas quickly and thoroughly. If any area of your home gets wet, especially basements and crawlspaces where moisture tends to be in abundance, dry them out as quickly as possible. You can use fans and dehumidifiers in these areas to keep them dry and prevent mold damage.
By implementing these tips in your Anchorage home, you can effectively reduce the risk of mold growth and mold damage. Since not all mold is preventable, it is good to have a mold damage remediation company saved in your contacts to call. TCM Restoration‘s mold remediation technicians are Alaska’s experts in mold damage and can quickly evaluate the extent of the mold, stop it at the source, and remove the spores from your home to prevent any further growth and spread. Do not let your home become a victim of mold damage – take the necessary steps to avoid it, and call us at TCM Restoration when you need help cleaning up and resolving any mold damage.
