Decorating Your Home for Spring

No one wants a mold problem in their home; but, a problem often surfaces because of mistakes made by the homeowner. Small oversights can eventually lead to major moisture problems and mold. Knowing what the mistakes are empowers you to avoid them so you can keep mold out of your home.

Mistake #1: Not installing proper ventilation

A major mistake that plagues many homes is bad ventilation. This is especially true in rooms that happen to experience the most moisture: the bathroom and the kitchen. Mold often starts here, in the bathroom in particular, because ventilation fans have not been installed or because they are installed but not used.

If a room tends to get steamy or coated in condensation, such as when the shower is running or when a pot of water is boiling, then it is going to be prone to mold issues unless you ventilate the moisture out as soon as possible. The easiest way to do that is via a ventilation fan. The one exception is in the laundry room, where instead of a fan you must make sure the dryer is properly vented to the outside.

Mistake #2: Ignoring minor roof damage

Your roof and siding are supposed to provide moisture barriers for your entire home. Your siding usually does a good job with few concerns, but the roof can be a point of entry of mold-causing moisture. Even minor roof damage can allow moisture into the attic, which then leads to a perfect spot for mold growth. Don't allow moss to grow on the roof and lift shingles, and have any cracked or damaged shingles or flashing replaced immediately. Damage to the eaves, such as holes in the soffits or fascia, must also be repaired as soon as possible.

Mistake #3: Considering a damp basement as normal

Many people think that basements are supposed to be damp, but they should be just as dry as the rest of your home. If water collects on the floor or condensation builds up on walls, then you may have a leaky basement. Another sign of a damp basement is a musty odor or an odor reminiscent of mildew and mold. Remedies for a damp basement depend on the cause. Sometimes, you can simply have ventilation installed and an internal waterproof seal painted onto the walls. In more extreme cases, you may need to have the exterior of the basement sealed or a sump pump installed.

Contact a mold removal specialist in your area, like DiBiaso's Cleaning and Restoration, Inc, for more help if you have mold in your home.