If your house gets damp in the winter, you may have to deal with mold growth. The dampness is the main reason why you can see mold during the winter months, but there are ways to get rid of it and keep the problem at bay. The same is true with mildew in your home, which can also be a big issue. Not only do mold and mildew look unsightly, but they can lead to drywall damage, unhealthy air and other concerns. Here’s how you can prevent mold in the winter, along with the signs of mold you’ll want to watch out for.
What Are the Signs of Mold in Your Home?
The main signs of having mold in your home are musty or moldy smells, dampness or wetness in basements, bathrooms, kitchens and other areas, and dark patches on drywall. Sometimes these patches are green, and they can also be brown or black. In some cases, the patch may start out small and then spread to something larger, or send out “veins” of mold that run along seams or make their way along the walls. Naturally, this can be alarming to see. Even if you don’t notice big areas of mold, there could still be mildew problems in damp areas of your home, especially in winter.
If you see mold, you’ll want to treat it. The best way to do that is to cut off the source of the dampness. Naturally, it’s also important to clean up any mold that’s already there, too, in order to reduce the potential for breathing problems and other health issues. When mold spores get into the air in your home, they can cause a lot of serious problems for people and pets. Small mold spots can usually be treated with a bleach solution or other type of cleaner. Larger areas should be treated by a restoration and waterproofing company to get to the root cause of the issue and keep your home safe.
The Best Ways to Prevent Mold Growth During Winter Months
There are a lot of great ways you can prevent the growth of mold in your home during the winter. Keeping the humidity level of your indoor air low is one of the best options. With a humidity level under 40%, you don’t really give mold and mildew any chance to start growing. That’s because mold can’t grow in dry conditions, but will thrive in damp, humid air. You may need to work with a professional to find the right way to get your humidity level down. But doing so can be well worth the time and effort when you don’t have to deal with mold problems anymore.
Another way to keep mold out of your home in the wintertime is by keeping your home clean. When you vacuum, dust and clean your home on a regular basis, mold doesn’t have a chance to get started. It usually takes a little bit of time for mold to start growing, and if you clean before that happens, you won’t have problems with mildew and moldy areas in your home. It’s a great way to keep problems at bay, and it’s also an easy fix. It doesn’t cost anything, and all it takes is a little bit of time. You’ll enjoy your clean home, and you won’t have worries about mold, either.
You should avoid storing anything that could easily get moldy in areas of your home that are harder to keep dry. For example, if you have some old books you’re going to donate or clothing that you don’t wear, don’t store them in the basement. Typically, the basement is an area of the home where mold is most often seen. Putting items down there that can grow mold is something that you’ll want to avoid. Instead of storing these items in your basement, put them in a dry area of your home where they’ll be at less risk for mildew and related kinds of dampness problems.
To help prevent mold growth in your home in the winter months, you’ll want to get leaks fixed quickly. Whether it’s a dripping pipe under your sink, missing shingles on your roof, or a problem with a gutter or downspout, you want to make sure water isn’t getting into your home. Anytime water penetrates your home and is allowed to sit, it can cause mold. That’s especially true when it’s cold outside and the relative humidity inside your home is generally higher. Even in desert areas of the country, it’s possible to get mold. In Michigan, where winters are very cold, it’s even more common.
Ventilating your attic and your clothes dryer is a simple way to reduce mold growth in your home, as well. Your attic needs to be well-insulated and properly vented to the outside. That way dampness won’t accumulate there. The same is true for venting your clothes dryer. It takes a lot of moisture out of your clothes, and that moisture has to go somewhere. The best place for extra moisture is outside, where it’s not going to cause issues in your home or create mold and mildew problems. It only takes a minute to check the venting on your clothes dryer or your attic, but it’s very important.
When you notice that your basement or crawlspace is damp, working with a professional can be the single biggest way to prevent and eliminate the growth of mold and mildew. That way you have less chance of seeing future problems develop, and the current problem can be treated quickly and efficiently. If you’re not sure who to call, don’t despair. We can help you get the waterproofing you need for your basement. Then you can have a higher level of peace of mind, and you won’t need to be worried about the dampness that can easily get into your home and cause problems if not treated the right way.
Prevent the Future Growth of Mold – Call Us for Basement Restoration and Waterproofing Today
At Mobile Waterproofing, we are a basement restoration and foundation repair contractor. Based in Midland, Michigan, we provide both inside and outside basement waterproofing and restoration systems to customers in our service areas. We can also offer egress window installation, humidity ventilation systems, commercial waterproofing and more.
If you’re located in Midland, Bay City, Saginaw, Mount Pleasant, Sanford, Auburn, Beaverton, Gladwin, Pinconning or the surrounding areas, get in touch and see what our 40-plus years of experience can give you. We can provide you with a healthier environment and help you avoid further damage to your belongings and location, whether you need residential or commercial waterproofing and restoration. Give us a call today.