Finding Mold at Home
Updated March 4, 2016 . AmFam Team
Mold is found everywhere and sometimes, we even bring it into our home on purpose — think about your blue cheese for a minute. But it’s the mold we don’t invite in that can cause big problems.
And for those that have mold sensitivities, the symptoms can range from the subtle, such as nasal, throat and eye irritation, to the significant: in the form of coughing and wheezing, or even frequent respiratory infections with continued mold exposure.
How Do You Prevent Mold in Your Home
Mold spores can be hard to hide from. They’re in the air and will settle down in those damp, dark spots in your home. Preventing mold in your house not only protects your friends and family, it can also protect the physical structure of your home. Stopping mold is all about controlling the humidity in your place, then ventilating and managing mildew where it grows. Take a look at these tips to help keep your place sparkling clean.
Clean the Source of the Mold
Since you can’t kick mold out completely, you’ll need to sleuth out where the mold is hiding. Look for areas that are frequently moist. Clean the ceiling above the shower, or the dark corners near that persistent leak in the basement — both can frequently harbor mold. Put on the rubber gloves — and a dust mask if things are particularly grimy — and use a hard-bristle brush with your choice of a cleaning agent to scrub away.
Dry Out the Moldy Area Like You Mean It
Preventing mold growth can save you time and money — and help to reduce the risk of any mold-related health issues down the road. Pick up a dehumidifier that’s sized correctly for the job. Wet basements may require a larger machine than a little moisture near the bathroom sink for mold remediation.
Verify that your sump pump's working correctly and work on ventilating or moving dry air into the space to remove mold. This can help prevent sudden and accidental flooding from becoming a major issue.
Control Your Indoor Humidity Level
You should keep your home’s humidity levels between 30 and 60 percent. When you lower the humidity level, you’re lowering the likelihood of mold growth. Keeping your windows and pipes free of condensation is a good indicator you’re keeping those humidity levels in check. For a more measured analysis of your humidity levels, moisture meters are available at most local hardware stores.
Get a Ventilation Plan in Place
The key here is ventilation — especially with your air conditioning system. Venting your bathroom, opening windows allowing outdoor air into the laundry rooms and kitchen moves moisture-laden air out of your home quickly — and brings in cleaner, drier air.
Be sure that your vents are pushing that moist air completely out of the house and not just into your attic. Place the thermostat for your AC at 78 on humid days just to let the air system dehumidify your home.
Manage the Moisture on All Fronts
If you’re family’s taking long hot showers, adjustments will need to be made. Open a window in that bathroom or use the vent fan wisely. Thoroughly dry any wet area immediately. This can be as simple as moving your clothes promptly from the washer to the dryer. Or it could be a major project, such as removing water-damaged carpets.
By keeping things dry, you’re cutting down on possible places for mold and mildew to grow. And by installing smart home systems that actively monitor for leaks, you may be able to prevent major damage from occurring in the first place. Better still, smart home upgrades like these can help you earn a discount on your home insurance.
Inspect Your Household Plants for Mold
Mold can accumulate on the leaves and soil of plants that are frequently watered. Re-pot plants that are showing signs of mold. You can add a little Taheebo tea to the water you’re using for the plants — it contains a natural antifungal oil.
Clean and Repair Roof Gutters and Downspouts
By controlling the rain and cleaning your gutters, you really can keep mold down. Regular cleaning and inspection of rain gutters will make sure rain water is being properly displaced. If your home is near tall trees that drop leaves each fall, consider getting gutter guards installed to keep clogs to a minimum. Be sure to inspect soffit and fascia boards during that time. Well-designed landscaping, paired with a strong gutter repair program, will help to direct water on the ground away from your house.
Consider Optional Water Damage Insurance Coverage
Preventing mold comes down to one key point: the drier your house, the less likely mold will grow. By taking steps to cut down on the humidity and damp surfaces in your home, you’re protecting the structural integrity of your home and improving the air your family breathes.
By reaching out to your American Family Insurance agent (Opens in a new tab) and reviewing your water damage coverage options, your finances can be better protected. If your area’s prone to flooding, be sure to inquire about getting on the National Flood Insurance Program when you contact your agent. When you cover water damage with great home insurance, that can bring you real peace-of-mind.
Related Articles
- 9 Steps to Create a Home Inventory for Insurance Claims
Your home is more than a roof over your head. It’s where your dreams grow, your family thrives and memories are made. But the possessions you keep inside are important, too.
Whether you’re renting an apartment or own your home, you’ve most likely got an insurance policy designed to protect your dwelling and the things inside. Should the unthinkable happen and you have to use that insurance policy, it’s important to have a plan in place. And a home inventory list is a great way to get started!
We’ll walk you through how to create a home inventory so — in the event of the unexpected — you’ll be more prepared and have a streamlined recovery.
What Is a Home Inventory?
Quite simply, a home inventory is a complete list of all the items, especially valuables, in and around your home. The best home inventories include photos, descriptions and dollar values of each of your belongings. The more detail, the better! It’ll help you provide a comprehensive list to your agent of items lost in the event your home is damaged or destroyed, allowing you to get the most out of your coverage.
When your describing the items in your list, remember that the more information, the better. Here’s a quick reference list of the type of information you should include in your home inventory list:
- An in-depth description of the items. For example, rather than writing down “diamond ring,” be more descriptive, such as: “an emerald cut diamond ring, with white gold shank, accent stones and initials inscribed below the bridge.”
- Make, model, and/or serial number of the items.
- Date of purchase, receipts and photos.
- Estimated replacement cost if you bought it today. Do note that the value of the items might be different today than it was when you first bought them. This is especially true with jewelry, and other valuables.
- Appraisals at time of purchase. Especially if your items were appraised for insurance purposes.
Why Do I Need a Home Inventory?
Whether you’re a homeowner or a renter, everyone can benefit from a home inventory!
If you ever have to make a claim, a home inventory is a great asset to have, especially after stressful events like theft, storm damage or a fire (take a look at how one renter used their home inventory after facing an apartment fire).
When you make a claim, you typically submit information on everything that was lost — which can be difficult to do off the top of your head for all your possessions. Remembering to replace your TV or computer are no-brainers, but when it comes to remembering each piece of jewelry in your jewelry box, things tend to get overlooked. Having a personal property inventory will help, along with knowing how to properly insure your jewelry.
When you have your home inventory checklist, you know exactly what needs to be replaced, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing your entire household is protected.
- Reasons Why a Roof Leaks
You’re admiring the rain from the comfort of your home when you notice a sound — the unmistakable drip of water dropping onto your floor. The first and hardest step is figuring out why your roof is leaking. And with these tips, you’ll find the culprit in no time!
Here’s Why Your Roof Is Leaking
The list of reasons why your roof is leaking may seem long, but don’t worry — when it comes to finding the leak and fixing it, the finding is the hardest part. And the good thing about these problems? They can all be fixed. Check out the list and see what’s troubling your roof:
Your roof is old
Roofs don’t last forever. Protecting your home and everything inside it from the elements comes with a cost. And with all that rain, snow, ice, wind and even sunlight wearing down your roof, it becomes more susceptible to leaks. Every roof will eventually need to be replaced, so learn more about how long your roof should last based on what it’s made of.
- How to Check Your Roof for Storm Damage
There’s no good time to find out your roof needs repair — but you may be able to mitigate that pain by routinely checking your roof for damage after severe weather. Waiting for a leak or damage to present itself gives the problem time to grow and worsen.
And sometimes, you’ll be faced with expensive roof and interior damage repairs if you’re not diligent. By being proactive and checking your roof for damage after severe weather hits can help your roof — and your savings — stay healthy.
