Is mold worse in summer or winter?

The risk of mold growth in your home increases in summer months due to several factors like warmer temperatures and summer rains.

democratandchronicle.com - Summertime is mold season, is your home ready?

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Democrat and Chronicle

Summertime brings sun and fun, cookouts, vacations — and mold. The risk of mold growth in your home increases in summer months due to several factors like warmer temperatures and summer rains. According to Environmental Protection Agency reports, the presence of mold indoors in even small amounts can trigger allergies and asthma attacks and increase the risk of illness, especially among children and the elderly. Several steps can be taken to prevent mold growth and, if mold is already present, to remove it and minimize the potential damage it might cause.

What to look for

On average, a four-person family produces 25 pints of water per day washing clothes and dishes, showering and even breathing. If all this moisture is not properly ventilated, the risk of mold growth increases considerably. Moisture buildup forming droplets on the inside of windows and/or musty smells are telltale signs of mold-friendly conditions. If mold isn’t visible but a musty smell persists, the mold may be growing under carpets or inside of walls or ventilation ducts. Condensation can be caused by several issues, including steam from showers or poorly ventilated dryers or cooking ranges. Before leaving for summer vacation, inspect your home for signs of water buildup, especially under sinks and around toilets, bathtubs and washing machines where leakage may occur. A thorough housecleaning can also help eliminate dirt, oil and other potential food sources that might encourage mold to grow. Mold might also be hidden in rarely used rooms or closets, improperly ventilated attics or basements with inadequate waterproofing. Poorly cleaned or faulty gutters can also cause serious problems if undetected until after a major rainfall. Water may begin to collect between the building materials and the roofing tile. Be sure to extend all downspouts away from your home’s foundation to prevent flooding, as well, and repair any leaky outdoor faucets as soon as possible. Air conditioning drain lines and drip pans should be regularly checked to ensure they are working properly and free from clogs.

What to do

There are several ways to avoid moisture buildup and increase ventilation. If your home does not have them already, install exhaust fans in kitchen and bathrooms, and leave them on longer on humid days – these rooms are some of the worst offenders for harboring moisture. Make sure your dryer ventilates outside and not into a utility room, closet, crawlspace or attic. On especially humid days, you may want to open doors or windows to air out your house. Opening blinds and curtains to let in daylight will discourage mold growth and also allow air to circulate more freely, but closing them to provide shade during the hottest parts of the day will help keep your house’s internal temperature lower. Using a well-maintained and energy efficient air-conditioning system to keep your home cool can save money in the long run by reducing the potential for mold growth, which increases in temperatures warmer than 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Extend your air ducts and install registers in previously poorly ventilated rooms to turn down the heat. Some mold-causing spores can lie dormant until the weather gets hotter, which is when they become activated and begin to grow and spread suddenly.

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Installing a dehumidifier can also greatly reduce excessive moisture buildup. The American Medical Association recommends maintaining humidity levels between 30% and 50%, which can be measured with a simple air test. If you do find mold in your home, all is not lost, but experts recommend leaving the cleaning to licensed professionals. Improper mold removal may cause it to spread and inadequate precautions may trigger upper respiratory illness, allergies or asthma. Using a bleach-based household cleaning product will not kill mold and may actually help it to grow. Comprehensive Mold Management — a licensed and family owned and operated mold removal company in Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse, New York — offers a cost-effective and extremely thorough mold inspection capable of detecting mold otherwise hidden out of sight. They can also perform air and surface testing for mold spores. If mold is present, they can remove it and repair and remediate the issues that lead to its growth. Even if you don’t have mold, Comprehensive Mold Management provides prevention services to help ensure your house stays mold-free, including ventilation, insulation and bath fan installation. Since avoiding basement flooding is also crucial, they offer basement waterproofing, drain tile and excavation services. Give them a call and stop mold from making your summer a bummer.

democratandchronicle.com - Summertime is mold season, is your home ready?

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