As a homeowner in Santa Clara, CA, you have invested a great deal of time, money, and energy into the place you call home. Anything that threatens the well-being of your house or family needs to be dealt with swiftly before it has a chance to take root and cause irreparable damage.
One of those things that could cause serious harm to your house as well as health problems for you and your family is the presence and development of mold. Mold spores can travel through the air and have the ability to land on just about anything that may be suited for mold growth. If the circumstances are right, these mold spores can quickly turn into an infestation before you know it.
There are thousands of different species of mold all over the world, and they are an integral part of the natural environment. Mold helps to break down organic material in order for the natural life cycle to continue. However, a mold problem in your home is anything but natural and needs to be removed quickly.
Preventing mold in the home is critical because it can have a devastating effect on both the structural integrity of the building as well as the health and well-being of its inhabitants (you and your family). Health effects typically include allergic reactions, asthma, skin rash, mycotoxins, sneezing, breathing problems, and even long-term diseases.
Causes of Mold Growth in Your Home in Santa Clara, CA
Before we can discuss the ways to prevent mold growth in your home, you first need to understand the causes of mold. First and foremost, the underlying cause of a mold problem is excess moisture. When there is moisture in the air due to high humidity, that sets the scene for mold to begin growing. If the temperature is warm and the area is nice and dark, the environment is perfect for spores to take hold and begin to spread.
Moisture problems can begin in a variety of different ways – some that are preventable and others that you must deal with when they occur. Things like a leaky pipe, floods, steam-filled showers that lack proper ventilation, foundation leaks, malfunctioning appliances such as water heaters, leaky roofs, and many other situations can help to create the perfect environment for mold.
Ways to Prevent Mold Growth
Once you have a good grasp on the causes of mold development in your Santa Clara, CA, home, you can then work on mold prevention techniques. As many are well aware, mold exposure can have devastating effects on the home as well as the inhabitants. Serious health issues can develop due to mold growing in the home, especially for those who already have respiratory problems.
To prevent mold from beginning to develop, here are some top tips from our experienced mold remediation experts:
Ventilate Damp Areas
Any areas of the house that commonly become or remain damp should be ventilated. A damp basement, steamy bathroom, or steam-filled kitchen can all be the reason that mold spores begin to infest. Open windows while taking a shower or cooking or make use of exhaust fans if opening windows is not possible.
Leave wet clothes hanging outside to dry before being thrown in the laundry room. Dry clothes in the dryer rather than hanging them up in the house to prevent a moisture problem.
Check the HVAC System and Air Conditioner
The air conditioners in your home as well as the other parts of your HVAC system can be a breeding grounds for mold spores, so they should be checked and maintained regularly. Indoor air movement often occurs because of air conditioning or heating, so it is integral that the air circulation method is clean.
Eliminate Standing Water from Plumbing Leaks
If you discover any kind of leak in the plumbing, it needs to be taken care of as soon as possible. When left unchecked, leaks can quickly accumulate standing water which will produce moisture in the air and contribute to the humid climates that mold loves to grow in.
Be sure to check the basement floor, crawl space, ceiling tiles, and any other location which may be in contact with pipes. If the cold surfaces feel wet from condensing pipes, you will very likely have mold damage.
Other locations for minor instances of standing water can still contribute to the moisture level in your home. Something like plant soil can collect water and this can quickly turn into moldy surfaces.
Invest in Moisture Control and Indoor Humidity Measures
When you have places in the house that do not have any natural venting such as windows, you may need to invest in technology for controlling moisture. Buying a strong dehumidifier is a great way to keep air moving throughout a room like a basement and reduce moisture overall. Humidity levels in your home should only ever reach a maximum of 50%.
Contact Our Santa Clara, CA, Fresh Air Professionals
If you are a resident or property owner in Santa Clara, CA, and you are looking for a way to stop mold in its tracks, contact One Call Services. Our expert mold remediation team can find, eliminate, and prevent mold from returning in residential and commercial buildings throughout the Santa Clara area.
We are well aware that even a spill can lead to a serious mold problem, and our team is dedicated to helping residents like you fight back against mold. We use industrial-grade mold-killing products as well as state-of-the-art equipment to ensure that all traces of mold are eliminated and you can return to life as normal.
At One Call Services, our water damage restoration team knows how to clean mold from even the hardest to reach places like crawl spaces and your air conditioning vents so that you do not have to. Contact us today to discuss the musty smell you have been detecting and to schedule an inspection at your home.
