Finding a small amount of mold in your home is normal and generally not something to worry about. Most homes are prone to mold in areas that have high humidity, like a bathroom or basement. While the initial problem may be minimal, mold is a problem that can spread quickly and become a larger issue.

A mold infestation can cause health issues, produce poor air quality, and even eventually negatively impact areas of your home. The good news is mold can be prevented. It’s all about maintaining the right conditions in your home and knowing when to call in a professional to assist with mold removal.

How to Spot Mold in Your Home

Mold grows on organic materials like wood, drywall, or even soap scum. It thrives in high humidity and warm temperatures. You can identify mold in your home by paying attention to a few easy signs.

1. Mold is smelly. You will notice a musty odor surrounding your mold problem.
2. You will notice that mold forms in different colors. It can be black, green, orange, and anything in between. If you notice discoloration in areas of your home, it could be a sign of mold.
3. Watermarks are also a sign of mold issues. These can form on walls or ceilings, so keep a watchful eye!

If you spot any indications of mold a bleach and water mixture will remove the mold from the surface, but it may not guarantee that the mold will not return. A professional mold remediation team like the one at McMahon Services, is the best way to remove mold for good.

5 Tips to Prevent Mold

The best way to guarantee that your home is mold free is to prevent it from forming in the first place! Take a look at these helpful tips to keep your home mold free.

• Take an inventory of your home.
  • There are areas that are prone to mold growth. Areas that are prone to frequent condensation like bathrooms with low ventilation, leaky basements, or even persistent water stains are all prime areas for mold.
  • Once you have identified the problem areas, it’s time to take action. This can mean removing damp carpeting from a basement that is never fully dry, treating wood and drywall with mold resistant primer, or even a major renovation
• Keep all areas in your home as dry as possible.
  • Mold grows where there is water, and when there is no water or humidity, there can be no mold. If you suddenly notice a leaky basement after a heavy rainfall, clean up and dry out that water as quickly as possible. You have a short window (typically 24 to 48 hours) before mold begins to form.
  • Remove all objects that cannot be fully dried from your home until they are completely returned to normal. This can include bedding, rugs, and even furniture. In addition to removing these objects, NEVER leave wet items around your house. Wet clothes in a washing machine should be removed and set to dry immediately. Wipe down walls after your shower to prevent mold growth in your bathroom and get rid of that damp towel hanging on the rack.
• Install proper ventilation.
  • Everyday life creates fantastic breeding grounds for mold. Cooking dinner, showering, or even doing laundry all produce humid conditions where mold can thrive. The key to keeping mold at bay while performing these everyday tasks is proper ventilation. Install an exhaust fan in kitchens and bathrooms. If your laundry room is prone to high humidity you may want to consider adding one there as well.
  • Dehumidifiers are also great investments to keep the air dry and excess moisture out of our home. These machines are portable and can be set up in any room of your home.
• Monitor humidity levels.
  • Humidity levels in your home should be between 30 and 60 percent. Anything higher than this and it’s prime mold growing conditions. Preventing mold from growing in excess humidity requires a trip to your local hardware store.
  • If you notice condensation on windows and walls you may be experiencing a high level of humidity in your home. You can purchase a dehumidifier and humidity detector to track humidity levels, and to pull the moisture from the air.
• Keep water away from your home.
  • Gutters and downspouts should point away from your foundation and drain a proper distance away from your home. Always ensure that gutters are clean and clear of debris and blockages – these can cause leaks in your roof that can go undetected for long periods of time, creating a great place for mold to grow.

Call in the Professionals

Mold can be the cause of major health issues for individuals in your household, especially elderly and children, or those that already suffer from respiratory problems. Mold spores in the air can cause allergy flare ups, asthma attacks, and more serious breathing problems if not treated properly. Black mold is especially dangerous and should not be handled without the assistance of a professional.

At the first sign (or potential sign) of mold in your home, call in a professional mold remediation team. At McMahon Services and Construction, we not only remove the mold from your home, but find the root cause and fix it – ensuring that the mold will not return. Call us today to schedule your home inspection and have a mold free home in no time.