\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Window condensation often causes mold to grow in your home. WebUse undiluted white vinegar on hard surfaces in kitchens and baths. Its made from recycled paper which helps keep cost low. Humidity is one of the most significant contributors to mold growth. These conditions are easily created in a Florida home. 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 leave your home for the summer months, you probably want to prevent mold growth. We can make the right steps to ensure your home (and vehicle!) Emptying drip trays will also prevent spills, leaks, and overflows, which can lead to moisture problems under the fridge, near window sills, and on basement floors. If the weather permits, keep your windows open to let fresh air dry the window frames. 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. Why do so many Florida homes have mold in their insulation? Spray on the surface, wait two to three hours, then rinse. If you must remove the mold yourself, follow these steps: Wear Protective Gear: If you are removing any damaged property on your own, make sure you wear protective eye masks or goggles, filter face masks, gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and waterproof boots to avoid contact with the mold. Mold will directly or indirectly cause health problems for people who live in close proximity to it. Since low humidity environment can impact your health (for example, you can blame low level of humidity for having a sore throat), it is important to keep the level of humidity between 30-50%. As weve said many times before, mold loves moisture. Humidity is a common form of moisture in homes and it refers to the amount of water vapor in the air. If you collect newspapers or magazines, dont forget that they also make a great food source for mold. Its also important to use exhaust fans in your bathroom, laundry room, and kitchen whenever youre using appliances. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. Last Updated: May 6, 2021 Our aim is to provide trending information. If you have vinyl or linoleum floors, you can clean them with a floor polish designed for these surfaces. She and her team specialize in offering sustainable deep cleaning and maintenance cleaning services. Mold needs moisture to grow and the best way to prevent this from happening is to cut the liquid source from them. 5 Dangers of Standing Water Inside Your Home. 0000004209 00000 n Rain leaking into cellulose insulation perfect for growing mold since its an organic material. Humidity up to 50% humidity is best, If parts of your home regularly have humidity levels above 55%, it makes it easy for mold to grow. Still, that doesnt mean youre entirely in the clear. Mold is a blanket name for a wide variety of fungi. The bad news is that most of your Florida home is susceptible to mold growth. Mold needs moisture to survive and grow, but vinegar contains citric acid which kills mold spores in large concentrations. This is why buildings in the state have a higher than average chance of harboring mold. 0000003112 00000 n wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. 6Bp=Yawm#zh(GqP,[OPokWB_) Hu]cVru; YPRY7. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Check Humidity Levels Humidity is one of the most significant contributors to mold growth. Additionally, make use of the exhaust fans you have in washers and bathrooms. No matter what type of mold is present, you need to remove it. Since HVAC systems are prone to dampness, follow these tips to reduce moisture and mold in your Florida home or business 4: Use air conditioning and dehumidifiers, especially when its hot and humid, to reduce moisture in the air. Fix any leaks in your homes roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow. To prevent mold from growing, throw away anything you dont need and move everything else so that you have access to enough airflow. If you machine-wash your jacket, use the delicates setting in a 4- Dont Use Humidifiers. To avoid water leaks and dampness in your home, be sure to follow these steps: A huge number of Florida residents are seasonal. Mold and mildew can be found inside the air ducts, thus it is recommended that you clean them regularly to prevent mold from forming in those hidden places. Although any season can bring mold, the summer is the most likely one. If any issue were to occur, these mold levels would spike rapidly. Anytime insulation becomes wet, mold spores have a new environment to take root and grow. Keep the ceiling vents open all the time to maintain proper indoor airflow and try to reduce the amount of time you dry your clothes indoors. Water in your home can come from many sources. From recent flooding to continuous humidity to leaky water lines - they have seen all this. Having it too low while leaving the home unoccupied can create problems too, so be sure to stick to the 78-80 degree range. In most cases, bleach is unnecessary. 0000013979 00000 n Today we will talk about preventing mold during the summer in Florida when you leave your home. Copyright 2022 Income Realty Home Watch |. A high level of humidity leads to excess moisture, which creates Homeowners trust us to keep their homes safe while theyre away. Electrical Safety Checks That Every Homeowner Should Do, Home Watch Websites by Home Watch Marketing. If youre away while mold issues begin, you may return and find that your coverage period has already passed. Another aspect that helps mold grow is humidity. Its not uncommon to find insulation mold in the rainy season here in Florida. If you can, shower and wash your hair at their home. Your email address will not be published. We now know that insulation can be a breeding ground for mold but why? Once the area is cleaned, be sure that is thoroughly dried. Not all policies will cover mold-related problems and the ones that do have a strict timeline for action. Get My Mold Pro - Southern Healthy Homes reviews, If you need to go back and make any changes, you can always do so by going to our Privacy Policy page. There are over 300,000 types of mold, but Florida most commonly has these three species: Aspergillus (found on rotten produce), Cladosporium (a black or green mold from damp spots), and Stachybotrys chartarum (also known as black mold which poses a danger to health). Mold can get in your home through open doors, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems. Mold will grow inside the materials open pores. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Covering the dirt wont necessarily prevent moisture from coming up, but it will stop mold from growing in the crawl space itself. 0000000952 00000 n In case you have to keep your carpets, inspect them thoroughly and deep clean them before you bring them back in to ensure there is no mold on them. Clean up and dry out your home fully and quickly (within 2448 hours) after a flood. Add mold inhibitors to paints before painting. You can buy mold inhibitors at paint and home improvement stores. Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products. Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried right away. It is sometimes helpful to open closet and cabinet doors as well. Mold grows on paper, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood. A high level of humidity leads to excess moisture, which creates the perfect conditions for mold to develop. Area rugs are better than carpet because they can be removed, cleaned, and dried if they get wet. Most of them were over 65. Floridas climate has always been one of its biggest attractions and the reason a lot of people want to live in the state. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. You can rest easy knowing your property is in good hands! Release Date: October 24, 2017. In order to keep mold from growing indoors, it is good to go back to how mold grows in the first place. If the weather is good, spend more time outdoors. Scrub hard surfaces with hot soapy water to remove visible mold. Mold prevention efforts should be just as consistent. You can buy a meter to check your homes humidity at a home improvement store. Most molds cannot grow if the temperature is below 70 F (21 C). You might want to consider using a dehumidifier in your home Southon Wikipedia, Cancer, Husband and Children that! Other areas include attics, bathrooms, or plumbing so mold does not moisture! Basements, roofs, and basements laundry room, and kitchen whenever youre using appliances most! 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