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What are the Signs of Mold Growth?
What’s growing on?
Signs of mold growth include musty odors, condensation on windows, discoloration of walls or ceilings, loose drywall tape and wood warping. Spring showers are turning the great outdoors green again. Time to make sure the damp air doesn’t make its way indoors, where mold and mildew growth can damage your home and aggravate allergies.
Causes behind the problem
Mold can thrive in any place where there’s an excess of moisture (e.g., humidity in the air, condensation on windows or water leaks) and presence of organic material (e.g., natural carpet fibers, drywall or wood).
Health effects
Allergic responses to Mold include hay-fever symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes and skin rash. Molds can also aggravate asthma.
Source: www.epa.gov
How to manage Mold
Things you can do - Keep relative humidity within a range of 30% and 60%
- Make sure your home is properly ventilated
- Repair leaks in your roof or plumbing within 48 hours
- Remove Mold from hard surfaces such as ceramic tile by cleaning it with dishwashing liquid and then following with a solution of bleach and warm water
- Immediately replace Mold-damaged materials, such as floor mats or comforters
- Check around air-handling units
* (air conditioners, furnaces) for stagnant water
Turn on your air conditioner* and/or dehumidifier during summer months, and use the “auto fan” setting to reduce humidity and save energy
Regularly wipe down shower curtain liners
Avoid the use of carpets/rugs in rooms below ground level
Scrub all walls, floors and other mold-contaminated hard surfaces. First, use a mild detergent solution, and then follow with warm water and bleach. For large areas of mold growth, more drastic measures may be needed. NOTE: If there is mold growth in your home, it’s important to clean up the mold and fix the water problem. If you address the mold, but don't fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will come back.
Source: www.epa.gov
How Welzig Heating and Air can help
By keeping moisture levels in check, a dehumidification system helps keep Mold out of the picture for good. For best results, combine a dehumidifier with an air cleaner.
We can also inspect your heating and cooling system to make sure there are no issues with moisture or mold buildup.
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