Having a clean home exudes pleasure whenever you are relaxing around your house. However, over the summer, these ideal moments can be interrupted by molds that form during that period. This is because of the hot weather over this period that raises the humidity levels to over 75% which is enough to form molds. Moisture, air, and food are other factors that enhance mold formation.
Though mold is known to be environmentally helpful for enriching the soil by destroying organic materials such as leaves, it can cause serious health problems to human beings. Such health issues to people include respiratory complications, throat, nose and eye irritation, asthma, sinus congestion and great dangers to infants, pregnant women, and elderly people. It is more dangerous when exposed to those with existing respiratory conditions, and it should not be kept in any home for long after its detection.
What Causes Mold In The Home?
Molds are caused by excessive moisture in the environment. This can be due to leaks, high humidity, or improper ventilation. Additionally, molds require food and air to grow, so making sure your home is clean and free of clutter will help reduce the opportunity for mold growth.
When temperatures are high and humidity levels stay this way for longer periods of time, that’s when molds get to thrive. Molds prefer damp conditions, but they also need food to grow. Generally, any organic matter or porous material can be a source of food for molds.
What Keeps Humidity Levels Low In The House?
To avoid humidity levels rising too high during the hot season, it’s important that your air conditioner function perfectly. If you notice any problems with its performance during the hot summer months then contact an expert as soon possible for help managing these risks. Meanwhile, you can also keep down excessive moisture by making sure all windows are open so breezes flow through them at night time. Otherwise, condensation mayl build up causing mold or mildew on surfaces inside homes which is exactly what you want to avoid.
Additionally, use mold inhibitors instead of carpeting in your bathrooms. Look for any water leaks and patch up these areas if any is found and clean thoroughly to make sure no mold has formed.
A dehumidifier is one other thing that will keep humidity levels low around your home. Its fan draws in moist air and carries it through an evaporator that is refrigerated. Over the hot summer period, your dehumidifier should operate for long hours to remove moisture so as to avoid the formation of molds around your home. Keep your dehumidifier clean at all times. You should also ensure that refrigerant levels are high because insufficient levels freeze the coil making the system function poorly.
There are other areas in your home with a little more moisture than other areas such as the bathroom and kitchen. Getting rid of molds is not that hard if you know how to deal with it, however to some extent you might need the experts to help you deal with it. You can ensure that your home is free of molds by keeping your air condition or fan in check and always running. You can also use disinfectants such as ethanol to spray in areas with concentrated water and leave it for some time before rinsing. While always disinfecting use latex or rubber gloves to protect yourself from harmful chemicals.
Look for ways to ensure that your house has increased the flow of air during the summer. That can be done by doing some of the things mentioned above as well as making sure to move furniture away from the walls around your home. Ensure that the dark and confined areas are properly ventilated. Be sure to avoid condensation in your basement which can be musty if left unchecked. Insulating walls, running a dehumidifier, installing a thermal pane window or storm will help clear some condensation. By doing so, air circulation will remain adequate around your home.
General House Airing Out
Air out your closets by opening them and run a fan or vacuum cleaner to help keep humidity levels lower. You should also clean them regularly to ensure that there is little chance of mold formation and growth. Always ensure that the cleaning is done while taking proper precautions with chemicals involved in the cleaning process where necessary.
However, in extreme cases it is important to to seek professional help if you have serious mold accumulating in your home that can adversely affect your health.
What Are The Health Effects Of Mold Exposure?
Mold exposure can cause an array of health problems. Individuals with asthma are at a greater risk for health effects from mold exposure, as are individuals who have weakened immune systems.
When individuals are exposed to molds that can trigger illnesses hay fever and other allergic reactions. Mold exposure has also been linked to respiratory problems, infections of the lungs (such as pneumonia), flu-like symptoms (such as fatigue or headaches), coughing & wheezing, eye & skin irritation, sore throat, bronchitis, and more.
