Kill Mold – How To Prevent These Mistakes

Have you ever tried to kill mold in your home, only to find that it has returned to haunt you, often within days and, as if to rub it in, in the same areas that you treated earlier?

If that’s happened to you, here are some practical tips to assist you in preventing mold from invading your home in the first place. That’s right. Prevention is the best, most effective method of mold control that I know. If you follow these tips, you will reduce the possibility of having to kill any mold that you may find later on.

Mold and moisture are friends, great friends. If you have moisture anywhere in or around your house, that’s where you’ll find it. So, the first rule is to track down the origin of the moisture so you can control it.

If you don’t do this, you and members of your family could face a myriad of health problems down the track should any of you become exposed to the harmful effects of mold.

This particularly applies to those who already have existing medical conditions such as asthma, allergies, chronic lung diseases, and weakened immune systems. So, whatever you do, try and find where the source of the moisture is. For example, look for leaks in water pipes (including those that are hidden in walls), roofs, guttering, down spouts and appliances that are not vented to the outside such as clothes dryers.

At times, you may also suspect that there is mold somewhere because you can literally smell it. Mold has its own distinctive odor that makes it virtually impossible not to notice. No matter how hard you try, however, you still can’t detect it. In these situations, you could try looking in places that are not so obvious such as underneath carpets and behind drywalls or wall paper.

Once you’ve determined the origin of the moisture in your home, you need to fix whatever was causing the problem. If you have the skill to do that yourself, then that’s great because you will save money. How much will depend on the severity of the problem you’ve identified. However, if you can’t, it’s best to fork out the cash and hire a professional to do the job.

Proper air circulation is extremely important in stopping mold from getting a foothold in your home. So, you should make sure that there is adequate ventilation in areas that are prone to dampness like bathrooms, laundry and utility rooms and basements. Whenever possible, leave as many windows and doors open for as long as you can, especially in bathrooms and laundries. Failure to do this will only encourage mold growth.

There is nothing particularly exciting about having to kill mold in your home. It’s a chore you want to avoid at all costs.