Mold can damage your home and can be dangerous to your health. You may start out with a sore throat, congestion, burning eyes, rashes or difficulty breathing. If you have underlying health problems, such as allergies, asthma, or your immune system is otherwise compromised, the damage to your health can be severe. These are a few tips to help you prevent mold growth in your home.
Repair Plumbing Leaks
The last thing you want to do is pay for mold remediation and post abatement clearance testing Portland Oregon. You can avoid these expenses by regularly checking for plumbing leaks. Look under any major appliances, such as refrigerators and washing machines. Don’t forget to look around your water heater. Then, check all visible plumbing. You can also inspect your walls and ceilings for water spots.
Inspect Your Roof Regularly
First, go into your attic and look for wet spots, damp or bowing rafters and pools of water. Then, have the outside of your roof inspected for damage. If cracks, curls or other damage is found, have your roof replaced by a professional. Also, check your gutters and downspouts for leaks, broken seals or clogs.
Promote Air Flow
First, install and maintain exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathrooms. Also, check your dryer vent. Make sure it is clean and vents outside, not inside your home. Have your vents cleaned and inspected regularly for clogs and mold.
Adopt Prevention Techniques
When you clean your home, use products that kill mold, especially in your kitchen and bathroom. If you find leaks or your carpet or walls get wet, clean and dry it out immediately. If you cannot dry your carpets and upholstered furniture immediately, replace it. Avoid putting carpets in basements and rooms with plumbing. If you find mold, have it remediated immediately.
Although mold is everywhere and can be brought into your house in a number of ways, by following a few key steps, you can prevent mold from growing in your home.