Keep mold from your home : Rooftop Views

Rooftop Views

Keep mold from your home

In the wake of this winter’s major meltdown, and with spring’s rainy season at our doorsteps, excessive household moisture exposure and water damage could cause mold to take hold in your home.

Follow these five simple tips to stave off mold in your home:

Check: Do a thorough inspection of your home from top to bottom and inside/outside. Look for damaged shingles, a warped window pane or cracked foundation mortar - spots where moisture could seep into your home.

Shovel: If you still have snow surrounding your home, shovel it away from the point where the ground meets the structure and dig it out of your basement window wells.

Inspect: Take a walk around your home to see if your gutter is intact and to make sure downspouts are pointing away from your house to deliver water away from the structure.

Test: A properly sloped and surfaced driveway will keep puddles to a minimum and draw water away from your home. Test this by pouring a small amount of water on your driveway to see how it slopes.

Treat: Consider using an eco-friendly mold-fighting solution to eliminate any existing indoor mold and prevent mold growth - particularly in areas prone to excess moisture (e.g., bathrooms, basements, laundry rooms, attics, etc.).

These tips are intended to be a first line of defense against the development of mold in your home. Following these steps - and reducing the amount of indoor moisture and humidity in your home - will help safeguard against the threat of mold.

“One of the hazards of excessive moisture in a home is the growth of mold,” says Eric Green, president of Siamons International, makers of Concrobium Mold Control. “Indoor mold can result in costly repairs and, more importantly, family health issues - it’s been linked to allergies, asthma and other respiratory issues, particularly among infants and the elderly. Failing to pay attention to water issues this spring could affect your bank account and your health.