Mold Abatement - Mold Removal Tips

Understanding how and why mold forms and being vigilant about doing regular inspections of your residence as well as performing regular maintenance on appliances, heating and air conditioning units are some of the first steps at mold abatement. They are brought inside innocently on the bottoms of our shoes, through an open window or door and the spores grow and multiply rapidly on the dust and dirt as it accumulates anywhere.

They thrive on high humidity and tropical climates which have a lot of moisture in the air, but those areas generally have air conditioning, but molds can attach to those units if there is a leak. It is therefore important to pay attention to minor problems such as a leak or a patch of moisture on a ceiling or wall, because these small problems can lead to major ones if they are not contained and treated immediately.

To minimize your risks these are some things to look for and do for mold abatement:

1.) Ensure there is proper drainage around the perimeter of your home and that sprinklers are working properly and water drains away from the house

2.) Ensure that there are no broken roof tiles, shingles or other types of roofing and that rain gutters are not clogged

3.) Vent your clothes dryer to the outside if possible to prevent moisture buildup in laundry area whether inside the home, in the garage or the basement

4.) Look for wet or moist spots throughout your property on the ceilings, walls, behind furniture that is up against an outside wall or in the back of a closet

5.) Never put wet or damp clothing inside a closet or dresser or leave them in a clothes washer or dryer as it will develop and spread very easily

6.) Vent bathrooms and kitchens where there is a lot of moisture buildup for proper ventilation while still maintaining the local code requirements

7.) Keep heating and air conditioning drip pans clean and accessible so they are not obstructed and so that they work properly

8.) If possible keep inside humidity level below 70% with 25% to 60% preferable

Abatement is something that should become a regular part of your property maintenance and will prevent major problems from developing. Sometimes a visual display of it is not evident but other ways you can detect its presence is if there is a musty odor in a corner of the garage or in a closet or under your sink. This might mean that it is growing behind the wall or underneath the floor or carpeting. Moisture on the outside of your property that never seems to fade away could also indicate that it is behind the exterior building material of wood or stucco or brick.

Inspections and repairs are the key to ensuring that you protect your property from structural damage or becoming a health concern if a mold is allowed to grow undetected. Allergic reactions can lead to much more serious toxic health concerns if mold is not contained early.