Tips to Prevent Mold Growth During the Summer

Summertime is full of cookouts, pool days, fun memories, and unfortunately mold. Mold can grow at any time of the year, but many people find it in their homes, basements, and crawlspaces during the summer months. It can be unnerving to find and costly to remove, so preventing indoor mold from growing is important. In preparation for the summer’s increasing temperatures, here are few tips to prevent mold growth.

Control Your Relative Humidity

humidity levels inside your home contribute to how hospitable the environment is to mold. Researchers from the University of Central Florida recommend purchasing a quality relative humidity sensor to continuously monitor the humidity inside your home. These sensors cost about $20. Many dehumidifiers also have built-in humidity sensors that trigger when the dehumidifier needs to turn on and remove moisture from the air. Every region is different, so you’ll need to determine what the right humidity level is for your home based on the area you live.

Remove Vinyl Wall Coverings

While vinyl wall coverings aren’t particularly used in modern homes, older homes may have them. Impermeable surfaces such as vinyl can be a magnet for mold growth as the air flow is restricted and moisture gets trapped. If your walls have vinyl coverings, it’s best to remove them before mold becomes a problem.

Leave Closet Doors Open

Circulating air in your home is important. Unfortunately, closets often remain closed most of the time and the dark spaces inside them are ideal for fungi growth. Try to leave your closet doors open to decrease the chances of mold growing inside. Dark spaces with no air conditioning present are areas to watch out for as well.

Repair Leaks

Whether it’s a small leak or a major one, they’re all cause for concern. Rainwater can leak inside from windows and doors that are improperly sealed. A small drip under the sink can create the perfect environment for mold to grow. Leaking spigots outside of your home are an easy target for fungi looking for a home. Take care of leaks of any size to prevent fungi growth.

Redirect Outdoor Water

Water that’s being directed toward the exterior of your home is cause for concern. Start by redirecting water by keeping sprinklers from spraying near the walls. Install French drains to direct water away from your home. Ensure landscaping doesn’t encourage water to flow towards your home’s exterior. Keep drains and down spouts clear of debris and direct outflow to a suitable area.

Use a Dehumidifier and Air Purifier

Dehumidifiers for mold growth are a great option if you’re concerned about keeping mold from growing and would like to keep the air inside your home void of too much moisture. An air purifier is also a good tool to have to keep mold spores from floating around in your air. We recommend the following products if you’re concerned about mold growth in your home:

The Pure & Dry HEPA Dehumidifier and Air Purifier is a quality 2-in-1 option that can dry your indoor air

and maintain your preferred humidity levels while also removing allergens like mold, mildew, and pollen.

The WhiteWing 70-Pint Dehumidifier with Built-In Pump is a heavy-duty dehumidifier that continuously removes moisture and maintains your preferred relative humidity. This basement dehumidifier is ideal for spaces up to 2000 sq.ft. More sizes of this dehumidifier are also available if you need something smaller or larger.