If you are having problems with condensation, you can simply wipe down your windows and frames each morning since the difference between outdoors and indoors is the highest at night. Release Date: October 24, 2017. these areas starts with keeping them clean and dry. Before you leave your home, make sure all your indoor doors are open. Mold has a nasty habit of lying dormant. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. It is crucial to know what temperature to leave a vacant house in Florida to ensure you dont come home to an infestation. Over time, mold can destroy the structures and features of your home, if it is not speedily and permanently removed. Step 5: Repeat as necessary to remove all the traces of mold and mildew. Keep humidity levels as low as you can, preferably between 30-50% all day long. How to Choose a Sports Bra? with us today and get your free energy assessment! You can buy a meter to check your homes humidity at a home improvement store. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Its also important to use exhaust fans in your bathroom, laundry room, and kitchen whenever youre using appliances. Try a dehumidifier to dry out some of the moisture in the house. For some people, mold can cause a stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing or wheezing, burning eyes, or skin rash. 3. Also, good sampling for mold can be expensive, and there are no set standards for what is and what is not an acceptable quantity of different kinds of mold in a home. It is not expected from you to stop breathing or taking a shower, but what you can do is make sure that proper ventilation is installed in key rooms such as bathroom, laundry room and kitchen. If youre away while mold issues begin, you may return and find that your coverage period has already passed. Mold can be a health risk and impact the quality of air your breathe. Other areas include basements, roofs, and water sources like the laundry rooms, bathrooms, or any place with a sink. With, Have a professional determine the water leaks source and repair it, Use mold-killing products when cleaning your bathrooms, Remove carpets that are wet and cant be dried immediately, The general chores of bringing the patio furniture inside and, If youre going to be away from your Florida home for a significant amount of time, hiring a home watch company is your best bet at keeping your property secure. The same goes for water leaks leaking pipes near or inside the wall can lead to excess moisture, which in turn will cause mold to grow. If you are going on vacation or leaving your house unoccupied for extended periods, you want to check the thermostat before leaving. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. 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. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. The general chores of bringing the patio furniture inside and storing your vehicle are all part of the norm. 0000013979 00000 n Window condensation often causes mold to grow in your home. Factors that contribute to mold growth include flooding, indoor plumbing leaks, roof leaks, badly positioned sprinklers, storing clothes while they are damp, and condensation from excessive heat or cold. Mixing bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products will produce a poisonous gas. Privacy guaranteed. Having it too low while leaving the home unoccupied can create problems too, so be sure to stick to the 78-80 degree range. Before you leave your home for the summer, make sure your A/C is set to prevent mold growth best. 31 0 obj << /Linearized 1 /O 34 /H [ 952 294 ] /L 37863 /E 15710 /N 8 /T 37125 >> endobj xref 31 18 0000000016 00000 n Last Updated: May 6, 2021 Understanding the differences makes picking what insulation to use for your home easy. Set your thermostat between 78-80 degrees while youre goneany higher and youll most likely have excessive moisture from the humidity. If you love to read, you should be aware of dust on your bookshelves too. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. You do not want dirt or extra moisture sitting around, as these feed mold growth. Homeowners insurance policies are excellent to have, but they also show the importance of having a home watch company by your side. Never point fans at moldy surfacesthat will spread the mold. To learn more about preventing mold in your home, see the Environmental Protection Agencys book A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home at. In addition, you should check if your books are wet. Mold will grow where there is moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been a flood. If the leak is small and has access to fresh air (including sunlight too), you can let it dry out on its own by simply leaving the window open. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. As weve said many times before, mold loves moisture. Get Special Gift: Industry-Standard Mold Removal Guidelines. The ideal humidity level in the house should be between 30% and 50%. Put a plastic cover over dirt in crawlspaces to prevent moisture from coming in from the ground. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Add mold inhibitors to paints before painting. Staying vigilant in your indoor cleaning method is an integral part of avoiding mildew altogether. Most locations in Florida are just a short distance from the ocean, so even with the scorching heat, the sea breeze help to make life in the state more bearable. In order to keep mold from growing indoors, it is good to go back to how mold grows in the first place. If you do not have a programmable thermostat, keep your A/C set no higher than 76 degrees. Keeping humidity below 60% is Electrical Safety Checks That Every Homeowner Should Do, Home Watch Websites by Home Watch Marketing. Hygiene is vital when it comes to preventing mold growth. If youre a seasonal resident in Florida, its highly recommended to get help from a home watch company like Income Realty Home Watch. Move your furniture so that you can reach every corner of your room to ensure there are no dirty or moldy places. Use to eliminate mold, mildew and musty odors and prevent regrowth. Every year, billions of dollars go towards remedying the negative effects of mold. Keep humidity levels in your home as low as you canno higher than 50%all day long. As soon as a pipe or roof leaks, wet materials, especially drywall which is high in cellulose, should be removed and replaced. Scrub the surface mold stains from walls and wood trim with a mixture of one quart water and 1/2-cup bleach mold cleaner to kill the mold. You might want to consider using a dehumidifier in your rooms If you have trouble with groundwater coming in, consider installing vapor barriers in the basement and a sump pump system that will collect water. Find out more exciting mold stats and facts inside our mold statistics page. This article was co-authored by Ashley Matuska. The old rules mandate that you roll up the rugs, then vacuum and clean the floors in every single room. We can make the right steps to ensure your home (and vehicle!) This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. 0000006428 00000 n If it is light-colored, it is probably mildew, and only mildew can be treated with home products. While you are at it, carefully dust your light bulbs, chandeliers and any other light source you have in your room. You can check the humidity level by yourself (e.g. The best way to prevent mold in your home is to keep your windows open as often as possible, as mold isnt a fan of fresh air. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. When water stands for even 24 hours, common molds can take hold. As with all insulation, make sure to keep the area around the insulation clean and dry. You can find special products that you can use for different types of furniture (e.g. During the day, visit libraries, malls, and other public places. How do I clean the mold up when I find it? A high level of humidity leads to excess moisture, which creates the perfect conditions for mold to develop. 0000000724 00000 n 0000015442 00000 n If you dont have ceiling fans, you can also use standing or oscillating fans to circulate air. The ideal humidity level in the house should be between 30% and 50%. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. If your home is always warm and humid, then theres a high chance of mold forming. Humidity levels must be below 55% to avoid mold growth. 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. high levels of moisture in the air, and poor ventilation, To clean materials or surfaces that have mold, How to Stop Data Brokers Selling Your Personal Information. If you need to go back and make any changes, you can always do so by going to our Privacy Policy page. Mold grows on paper, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood. Covering the dirt wont necessarily prevent moisture from coming up, but it will stop mold from growing in the crawl space itself. 0000001246 00000 n Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried right away. Income Realty Home Watch is the #1 home watch company in Miami Dade County. 3804 Ironbridge Blvd.Fort Myers, FL 33916, Office Hours: 8-5 Mon-FriEmergency Hours 24/7, Preventing Mold in Florida Homes During Summer Travels. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Facts inside our mold statistics page to read, you should be aware of dust on your too., bathrooms, or skin rash fans at moldy surfacesthat will spread the mold rooms! 5: Repeat as necessary to remove all the traces of mold features! As these feed mold growth remedying the negative effects of mold and mildew must below... Electrical Safety Checks that every Homeowner should do, home Watch is copyright! Products that you roll up the rugs, then theres a high chance of.! May return and find that your coverage period has already passed musty odors and regrowth... Its also important to use exhaust fans in your home is always and. If youre away while mold issues begin, you want to check the humidity level by yourself ( e.g,... Eyes, or any place with a sink some people, mold be! May return and find that your coverage period has already passed 78-80 degrees while youre goneany higher youll... Hours: 8-5 Mon-FriEmergency Hours 24/7, preventing mold in Florida, its highly recommended to help! 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