Note: This blog post is a sponsored conversation written by Lynn Smythe, the Founder and Chief Blogger for The Creative Cottage lifestyle blog. The opinions, thoughts, ideas and text are all mine.
Many people experience mold in their home. This fungus likes to live in damp conditions and can spread rapidly. On top of being ugly, mold can be a health hazard – breathing in spores can lead to respiratory problems such as asthma, chest infections and even serious diseases such as Legionnaires. Consequently, you should try to get rid of mould the moment it appears.
Mould can usually be scrubbed off with a sponge, however it is likely to reappear again within a couple months if you don’t get to the cause. Here are just several preventative measures that you can take to prevent mold from appearing in your home.
Take Action Against Leaks
Leaking water will often lead to mold growth. This could be an external leak or an internal leak.
An external leak is the result of rainwater seeping in – this could be through the roof or through a crack in the wall. By getting these cracks sealed up, you can stop these leaks.
Internal leaks are usually the result of plumbing damage. A leak could also come from a loose seal on a fixture such as a toilet or a washing machine. To tackle these leaks, you’re best option is to hire a plumber.
Once you’ve fixed the leak, you should take steps repair any water damage that has been caused as the dampness could still allow mold to thrive. To prevent future leaks, make sure that your home is kept in good condition and that any broken roofing or damaged pipes are fixed before they become a problem.
Stopping Moisture
Rising damp is the result of water rising up through the walls from the ground. This can lead to dampness around the bottom of your ground floor walls, which can then lead to serious mold growth (if you’ve got mold around the bottom of your ground floor walls, rising damp is likely to be the cause).
You can prevent mold and rising damp by getting a damp proof course fitted around base of your home. Occasionally, damp proof causes can get damaged – if you’ve already got a damp proof course and are experiencing rising damp, get a professional to take look for damage so that you can get it repaired.
Keep Your Home Ventilated
Moisture in the air can sometimes build up lead to condensation on the walls and mold. Steam from showers and cooking is a common cause of this, however air exhaled from simply breathing can also be a contributing factor.
By ventilating your home regularly, you can let this moisture out and prevent mold. This could involve simply opening the window (some windows have vents that you can open, allowing the air out without having to open the entire window). Extractor fans can also let out moisture without you having to open windows – if your home doesn’t already have one fitted in the kitchen and bathroom, it could be worth installing one.
Avoid Hanging Wet Clothes Indoors
If you regularly hang wet clothes on a clothes horse, on radiators, or hanging wet towels in your bathroom, this could also be contributing to moisture build up and mold in your home.
By hanging your wet clothes outdoors, you can avoid this problem. Of course, this may not be practical on a cold or rainy day – in which case you may be able to still hang your clothes indoors but keep your home ventilated. Another better option meanwhile could be to invest in a tumble dryer that will save you having to hang up clothes at all, preventing indoor moisture and mold.
Buy a Dehumidifier
Another way to counter mold is to buy a dehumidifier. These machines suck moisture out of the air and replace it with dry air. This could be useful if you live somewhere that is naturally humid, such as Florida, ventilating your home may do no good and a dehumidifier could be essential.
There are other ways to dehumidify your home. Some plants have dehumidifying properties – particularly peace lily and Boston fern. Salt rock candles can also reduce humidity in your home by absorbing moisture in the air. You can also buy dehumidifying traps to place around your home.
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