Is your home damp? Do you have a problem with mold in your home? If so you’re not alone. Over 40% of homes in the US have a problem with mold. Although only 2-3% of these infestations are toxic, mold is not a nice sight when seen on the walls and furniture and can be a warning that your home is not water tight.

Damp in cold housing encourages the growth of both mold and mites, and these can increase the risk of respiratory illness in some people. Growth of mold on window frames and furniture can also be a warning that these materials are more than likely vulnerable to rooting.

Preventing Mold in Your Home

The first and easiest way to solve the problem of mold in your home is prevention. Growth of mold is encouraged by damp and cool conditions, so you should make sure to take all the necessary steps to prevent the damp and the cold.

One cause of damp could be condensation, which occurs mainly during cooler weather and in places where there is little movement of air. The way to prevent this is to produce less moisture. Simple routines such as covering cooking pans can go a long way to prevent condensation.

It’s also important that you keep your house well ventilated. Ventilation is required at all times to remove moisture from your home that is produced when people breathe. Try to keep a small window open at all times or a ventilator running to prevent build up of moisture.

Mold Remediation

Although you should try to do everything necessary to prevent the build up of mold, complete prevention can be hard. If your home is infested with mold, then you will need to consider mold remediation.

Although not all molds are toxic, they all need to be removed at some point in time. Mold can be removed by the homeowner, or by a contractor. Generally, infestations less than ten square feet can be treated by the homeowner with the use of commercially available mold remediation kits. Larger infestations, however, will require the expertise of a specialist contractor. Be sure to find experienced mold removal experts that will help you solve the problem of mold in your home.

Discovering mold in your home can be a daunting prospect, but the best advice is to treat the infestation as soon as possible, or even better, prevent it from happening in the first place!