With winter being right around the corner, there’s plenty you should do to your home in order to prepare for the colder months. One thing that gets overlooked is making sure that your house isn’t susceptible to mold. Mold tends to be something we look out for in warmer seasons because mold can grow more in a warm climate, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be a concern. Today, we’re going to help you out with 5 easy precautions you can take to prevent mold damage during those cold winter months.
Watch Out for Leaks
This might seem obvious, but it’s still a simple and effective way to help combat mold from growing in winter. Even though mold thrives in warmer climates, that doesn’t mean that it can’t thrive in an area if it’s still moist. Keeping an eye out for leaks not only prevents mold from growing but can also help prevent water damage from occurring. Smaller leaks can occur in places like exterior-to-interior hallways, windows, and skylights. Indoor plumbing is also a leading cause of leaks that can cause water damage and mold. The longer you let leaks like this go, the more likely it is that mold will form and start to cause damage.
Limit Where Mold Damage Occurs
Mold will easily latch onto anything nearby if it starts growing. Things like boxes of clothing, books, and loose papers should be kept away from moist areas at all costs. Instead of putting these types of things near windows and walls where leaks and mold growth are most likely to occur, keep them in a dry area with plenty of circulation to help keep mold from growing.
You should also clean your bathroom regularly. It is usually the moistest room of the house and is a major source of leaks. Cleaning your bathroom regularly will ensure that mold growth and mildew are kept to a minimum.
Reduce Humidity and Increase Circulation
We know that mold thrives in humid conditions. It’s what drives it to grow. An easy way to introduce circulation into your space is by simply opening a window and letting the fresh air make its way through your home. This isn’t always practical, though. In cases where it’s too cold out to open a window, getting a dehumidifier will do the trick. A dehumidifier will help reduce moisture throughout your home and make it more difficult for mold to grow. A dehumidifier with a digital reader is especially helpful in this case. Make sure to keep your indoor moisture below 40 percent to prevent mold from growing.
Using Exhaust Fans Can Help
Both your kitchen and bathroom produce a fair amount of moisture. Whether you’re boiling a pot of water to make pasta for dinner or you’re taking a hot shower, you’re generating moisture that can eventually cause mold to grow. This is where exhaust fans come in handy. Running an exhaust fan between 20 to 30 minutes after you’ve generated moisture in a room can help with removing unnecessary humidity and prevent mold growth. It’s also recommended that while you’re running your exhaust fan, you take a dry cloth and wipe down any excess moisture you can. This helps the fans do their job while further decreasing the chances of mold growth.
Keep Your Floor Near the Entryway Dry
In the wintertime, it can become easy for moisture to get trailed between rooms, especially when those rooms are already prone to moisture. This is why it’s recommended that these entryways have an easily washable surface. Having a surface that is easy to wash means that you can maintain it regularly and prevent mold from growing without any real difficulty. If you have carpeting, it can trap mold and become much more difficult to maintain. However, it’s understandable that in situations like this, it isn’t just an easy fix of replacing the carpet. If you do have carpeting in these entryways, you don’t have to go and tear it up. Just make sure you run a vacuum cleaner regularly and inspect where your carpet meets your wall or baseboards to ensure there hasn’t been any mold growth.
Need Help Combating Winter Mold Damage? Call PNW Restoration!
If you’re experiencing issues with mold, you need a professional to come in and take care of it. Call PNW Restoration at (971) 247-3470. We’re available 24/7. Our response team can come out and identify the source and species of mold you have growing in your home, so we have a better idea of how to remove it. We offer a 36-month mold-free guarantee. If your mold grows back within 36 months, we will give you your money back.
