Almost every home has had to deal with mold sometimes. It’s one of the issues you can’t let fester as it won’t go away itself. Reacting fast is key here, and if you are not confident enough or unsure how to deal with it, it is best to contact professionals.

There are ways to try to prevent mold from ever growing, or, at least, play it right to ensure it doesn’t come back and this is where EMS were of big help. I used their expertise to learn more on how to keep my home safe from mold.

Add Light and Fresh Air

Mold thrives in moist and dark places. If you’ve recently had any plumbing issues, make sure the affected area is well dried and ventilated. This can be applied to the rest of your home too. You should make a habit of ventilating and allowing sunlight in. This is the most basic and a natural way to keep mold at bay.

Fend off Moisture

Moisture also creates great conditions for mold growth. Whenever you spot it somewhere in your home, make sure you deal with it quickly. Moisture traps are pretty useful, you can place them in areas where you suspect it would appear, to prevent the moisture from spreading.

Dehumidifiers are also useful to make the air drier, they are usually used when dealing with floods. Ventilation is key, so try to keep windows open as much as you can, especially if you are cooking.

If you can’t do that then, at least, keep bathroom and kitchen doors closed. If you can, dry hang your clothes to dry outside or use a tumble dryer.

Keep Your Home Clean

I know this rule is implied, but it is worth noting that mold has to come from somewhere. Keeping your home clean by vacuuming and dusting, combined with good ventilation will prevent mold from spreading. It grows from spores, and if you clean your home regularly, especially dark places where humidity resides, you will less likely have to fight it.

This rule is particularly important for organic materials like wood, cardboard and cotton. Get a disinfectant and polish the wood regularly, put the fabric in the washing machine, and throw away old cardboard.

Proper Ventilation

Ventilation is crucial for any damp-free home. If you regularly have to deal with condensation, then no matter how much you clean and try to ventilate, it won’t matter much. The problem lies elsewhere, and the best course of action is to hire a professional to perform a thorough investigation on what you can do to keep humidity away from the interior.

Throw Away Stuff

Sometimes there’s nothing you can do to help certain materials like wood, drywall or carpet. Replacement is the only solution here. If you choose to do it yourself, make sure you use rubber gloves, old clothes, and cover your mouth with a piece of cloth.

Good Insulation

Good insulation is important for colder parts of the country. Dealing with humidity during the winter can be tricky if your insulation is poor. You might have not planned to strain your budget now, but good insulation helps immensely.

Professional Help

If you notice you are dealing with higher levels of humidity, but aren’t sure why, or where it is coming from it is best to let a pro have a look. Maybe you have a leak somewhere, or your insulation is not good enough. Whatever the problem might be, if you can’t detect it yourself, a plumber or a constructor can.