Mold growth inside a home is a dynamic process that requires very specific conditions to thrive. Dormant mold spores exist everywhere in nature, including inside your house. However, if the spores are deprived of mold-friendly conditions, mold growth will not activate and gain a foothold. Taking early measures to inhibit active mold growth may prevent contamination from reaching an advanced state.
Eliminate Moisture Sources
- Repair any plumbing leaks and roof leaks and stop any infiltration of water through structural cracks such as the basement walls or foundation.
- Dry out a wet crawl space, including installing a vapor barrier to prevent moisture rising up through the soil.
- If incidental leakage or water spillage occurs anywhere in the house, dry out the area quickly and completely—mold growth can be triggered in only 48 hours after exposure to water.
- Use mold-killing products to clean bathroom surfaces that are wet repeatedly.
- Make sure the central air conditioner drip pan in the air handler drains properly and does not retain water.
Lower Humidity
Water vapor in the air can trigger dormant mold spores into active growth mode. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends keeping indoor relative humidity between 30% to 50% to inhibit mold growth.
- A basic moisture meter that displays humidity is an inexpensive investment and helps you keep indoor humidity levels in the mold-free zone.
- Run exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms to vent humid air.
- Make sure the clothes dryer is properly vented and the vent pipe is cleaned regularly.
- In humid climates where indoor levels are difficult to control, consider installing a whole-house dehumidifier in your HVAC system.
Remove Contaminated Items
Signs of incipient mold contamination may be discovered in absorbent materials including building materials like ceiling tiles, as well as fabrics such as carpeting and carpet pads. These points of origin can become sources of spreading mold. Often, the simplest, most straightforward option is to immediately remove them from the house and dispose of them. Porous materials are extremely difficult to decontaminate even with fungicides. Eliminating contaminated items from the home environment permanently is the best mold-preventive course of action.
