how to prevent mold in florida homes

\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. That being said, it is important to maintain proper humidity levels in your home to keep a healthy and mold-free environment. If you have a smart thermostat, this can be very helpful in monitoring the heat and humidity levels in your home. She and her team specialize in offering sustainable deep cleaning and maintenance cleaning services. On the other hand, if you have problems with basement walls or with a lot of liquid (such as flood), the smartest move is to call professionals to dry out your walls quickly before they become home to mold. A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home (pdf) (1.38 MB) In this case, 93% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. The bad news is that most of your Florida home is susceptible to mold growth. In just 10 minutes, your indoor air will be fresh and your windows dry. Ashley has over seven years of experience in the cleaning industry. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Using air conditioning in the warmer months will help keep humidity down inside of your home as well. Mold can be difficult to deal with, especially in humid climates like Florida. Some of these difficulties include: Apart from the adverse health effects of mold, they will also damage the structures of the home and impair the aesthetics and by extension, the value of your property. Mold can be removed from hard surfaces with household products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of household laundry bleach in 1 gallon of water. This will make your entire room smell fresh, but again, you should be careful about the humidity level, as it can bring about mold. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Proudly Canadian. With Bens knowledge, and visionary leadership, All Dry USA has expanded into a national, full-service property damage restoration company with multiple locations across the United States. So that, our readers get benefited from this website. can. If you need to clean more than 10 square feet, check the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guide titled. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Its not uncommon to find insulation mold in the rainy season here in Florida. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Required fields are marked *. annually. Open windows and doors to provide fresh air. Mold growth is a major hazard to the state of your home and can be challenging to get under control should the issue have time to escalate. Moisture is the biggest contributor to mold development. It is recommended that you maintain a humidity level of less than 50 percent in order to keep mold away. Try a dehumidifier to dry out some of the moisture in the house. Although any season can bring mold, the summer is the most likely one. If you can, leave the carpets out of your home and invest in renewing your floors and making them look shiny again. bottle Unique mold spray contains no bleach or harsh chemicals, safe for use on a wide range of surfaces You must make sure you do everything you can to prevent that water from entering. If your home is always warm and humid, then theres a high chance of mold forming. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. How do I clean the mold up when I find it? If a small part of a book is wet, not only can this damage it, but it can also bring about mold. Mold insulation can cause breathing complications and give you year round allergies. Another aspect that helps mold grow is humidity. Other areas include basements, roofs, and water sources like the laundry rooms, bathrooms, or any place with a sink. HEPA filters are among the most effective filters, and are able to remove over 99 percent of pollutants from the air. 0000015442 00000 n The best thing you can do is to safely remove the mold and work to prevent future mold growth. When it comes to Florida mold, and especially the mold in South Florida homes, it is vital to make prevention a top priority. If youre a seasonal resident in Florida, its highly recommended to get help from a home watch company like Income Realty Home Watch. Around fridges, water coolers, and ice makers. WebTo Prevent Mold Growth in Your Home Keep humidity levels in your home as low as you canno higher than 50%all day long. Leaky roof, leaky pipes or any general accumulation of moisture/humidity anywhere in the home can cause mold to grow. Lets learn how to prevent mold growth. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. No one wants that. This is the only way to completely safeguard your home from future mold problems. Mold produces microscopic cells, also known as spores, which rapidly spread from the area of origin under the right conditions. Most molds are harmless and a lot of them are even beneficial. If you love to read, you should be aware of dust on your bookshelves too. 6 Things to Do When Your Ceiling is Flooded, A small amount of water in the air of a closed-in space, Drying surfaces that have water accumulating (such as a shower right after use), Maintaining air circulation via air conditioning, ceiling fan, or dehumidifier. When you are moving everything to take care of your carpets and floors, keep your furniture out for a little bit longer. Another thing you can do to help areas that are typically more warm and damp is to ensure proper ventilation. You can also hire a professional mold inspection company, such as Markham Inspection Services, to inspect your home for mold. With each step you take, thoroughly examine your home for possible signs of mold. Saving Lives, Protecting People, https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-remediation-schools-and-commercial-buildings-guide, https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-10/documents/moldguide12.pdf, Homeowners and Renters Guide to Mold Cleanup After Disasters, What to Wear Before Entering a Home or Building with Mold Damage, Mold Clean-Up After Disasters: When to Use Bleach, Invasive Mold Infections in Immunocompromised People, Reduce your Exposure to Mold in your Home, National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. With an average of 74% humidity in Florida, this can be quite a feat. While were at it, make sure you have someone check your AC and furnace! There are many different things to check and do to prevent mold growth in your summer home. Therefore, preventing mold in your house is important for the health and safety of your family and visitors who spend time in your home. Although carpets and rugs look beautiful, unfortunately, we often overlook the potential danger of mold growth on them. Florida has a lot of rain over the summer. Using warm water, damp cloth and mild dishwashing liquid, scrub each window with a brush and rinse thoroughly. To efficiently clean out mold requires specific tools, including: While mold and mildew seem similar, they are two different growths. Mold loves fiberglass because the glass traps moisture and gives the mold room to grow. We can make the right steps to ensure your home (and vehicle!) Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery. On the other end of the spectrum, fiberglass insulation is not so good at preventing mold growth. If you need to go back and make any changes, you can always do so by going to our Privacy Policy page. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Since mold grows best in dark areas, open your curtains during the day to let the sun in. If you are a homeowner in Florida, you should be careful about possible mold growth in your home. If you have a large home, consider setting up at least two dehumidifiers in different areas of the house. Alternatively, you could try one of these 5 houseplants that will help to prevent mold in your home. 0000004209 00000 n ADU (All Dry USA) is a Division of All Repair & Restoration, Copyright 2022 ADU All Rights Reserved Privacy Policy | ADA Compliance | Sitemap. Areas such as your bathroom, attic, and basement do not always have adequate airflow. Open windows and keep the air circulated to get rid of moisture from the environment. Every year, billions of dollars go towards remedying the negative effects of mold. Theyre large enough to hold an entire family and the most comfortable and spacious. Florida black mold symptoms include: Black mold exudes a musty smell and has a slippery texture. Most of them were over 65. 0000015420 00000 n An air conditioner or dehumidifier will help you keep 87% of homes we tested have mold?! Humidity levels must be below 55% to avoid mold growth. Over time, mold can destroy the structures and features of your home, if it is not speedily and permanently removed. In addition, you need to dry them well because dirt is not the only food source for mold. If you can't repair the leak, replace the section of damaged gutter. Once the area is cleaned, be sure that is thoroughly dried. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 179,588 times. Step 1: Make a solution of one part bleach to three parts water in the spray bottle. 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Every part of the spectrum, fiberglass insulation is not so good at preventing mold during day... Another thing you can do to prevent mold in very little time knowledge come.. These 5 houseplants that will help to prevent mold in your home you. Have access to enough airflow your homes indoor air will be evaluated and inspected our... Inspection company, such as your bathroom, attic, and water sources like the laundry,! Having trouble with mold in your home ( how to prevent mold in florida homes vehicle! area of origin under right! Florida residents should learn how to take care of your homes indoor quality! Home and invest in renewing your floors and making them look shiny again residents should learn how to care! Identification and remediation committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and.... Free how-to resources, and well-ventilated, drywall, carpet, fabric, ice. 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