5 min read
Many homeowners believe that mold only grows during hot, humid months. While summer is indeed one of the optimal times for mold to thrive, it’s worth noting that homes can fall victim to microbial growth during winter, too. All it takes is moisture, a food source, and the right temperature for mold to affect a property.
With south Texas experiencing ice storms, sleet, and even snow in recent years, the colder temperatures and melting snow outside coupled with toasty warm temperatures indoors can increase moisture in a home. If left unchecked, this moisture problem can create an ideal environment for mold to grow.
The good news is that there are plenty of measures you can take to prevent the growth of mold. Here are some practical tips to help keep your home warm, cozy, and mold-free throughout winter.
Monitor Humidity Levels
Monitoring indoor humidity levels is one of the best and simplest ways to help prevent microbial growth. Humidifiers can be necessary for comfort and health during the colder months, but too much humidity can help mold grow and even reduce indoor air quality.
Here are some ways to keep your humidity levels normal – and keep mold at bay:
- Use a dehumidifier to ensure your indoor humidity remains between 30% to 50%.
- Use exhaust fans while taking a hot shower or cooking.
- Avoid leaving wet towels and clothes in laundry baskets.
- Avoid using fabric mats or rugs in bathrooms, basements, and other rooms which are often exposed to water or moisture.
Improve Air Circulation
Another effective way to control moisture inside your home during winter is to improve air circulation.
Putting ceiling fans in reverse so that they push warm air downward and pull cold air upward can help prevent condensation on your windows and doors. In addition, turning on the exhaust fans every time you cook can help clear hot steam, keeping moisture from seeping through your walls, ceilings, and floors.
Have Your Furnace and Air Ducts Inspected
Mold spores can quickly spread throughout your home via your HVAC system. When this happens, extensive mold remediation may be needed to decontaminate your home thoroughly.
You can save yourself from the hassle and overwhelming costs of removing unchecked mold by having your furnace and air ducts inspected. Dust and allergens also create an ideal environment for mold to grow, and they may have built up on your furnace since the last time you used them.
A thorough inspection and cleaning can give you peace of mind knowing your HVAC system is not circulating harmful microbes inside your home.
Maintain Roof Gutters
When water isn’t drained properly from your roof due to clogs, it can inevitably encourage microbial growth. In the same way, the leaves, sticks, and other debris blocking your gutters can cause water to flow to places where it shouldn’t be, causing cracks, wood rot, basement floods, and other issues.
To protect your home and your loved ones from microbial growth, it’s always a good idea to clean your gutters regularly. Inspecting your roof for damaged or missing shingles can also help prevent leaks during the harsher months.
Check and Repair Leaks Immediately
Besides cleaning your gutters and inspecting your roof for leaks, it also helps to inspect your property for exposed pipes, drains, and other components that can burst or leak. Repairing leaks and winterizing your plumbing before the temperatures become too cold can help you stay dry, warm, and safe from mold concerns throughout winter.
Clean and Dry Mold-Prone Areas
Some surfaces in your home can be particularly prone to collecting or retaining moisture, such as:
- Windows and sills
- Kitchen
- Outside the refrigerator
- Shower or bathroom
- Any surface where a leak or flooding has happened
Cleaning and drying these surfaces regularly can help keep mold from taking over your home. In the same way, checking components outside of your home, like your sheds and drains, can also reduce the risks of leaks and chances of moisture buildup.
Store Items in Plastic Tubs
Welcoming winter entails putting away summer clothes, outdoor gear, and other items you usually use during the warmer months. With this in mind, it’s best to avoid cardboard boxes when storing your items. Ensuring they are clean and completely dry before putting them away in plastic tubs also helps keep mold from destroying your prized camping equipment or favorite holiday wear.
Enlist Mold Remediation As Soon as You Spot Signs of Microbial Growth
Protecting your home from mold is far better and easier than treating the contamination. While there are many steps to prevent microbial growth, mold can sometimes still find its way inside houses.
If you suspect or see microbial growth inside your home, it’s crucial to get in touch with mold removal professionals as soon as possible. Handling the cleanup and removal process on your own can put you and your family at risk and even cause the contamination to spread to new areas of your home.
Restoration 1 of San Antonio North is a certified company offering mold remediation and inspection services. We use advanced tools and techniques to remove mold and address any underlying moisture problem. Call us today and say goodbye to your long-term mold concerns!
