Summer has finally arrived! Most people love summer because it’s the perfect time to visit local parks, pools, and beaches. Unfortunately mold spores also loves summer because summer humidity provides the perfect breeding ground. Luckily there are several precautions you can take to guarantee mold remediation in Village.
Use your HVAC system properly
Many mold problems can be traced back to homeowners’ HVAC systems. There’s no doubt that air conditioning is a lifesaver in the middle of the summer heat, but it can also be the cause of major mold issues. Simply checking to make sure your unit is functioning the way the manufacturer intended can go a long way to ensuring the unit isn’t likely to contribute to mold growth.
- Don’t block your AC vents: It might seem like common sense to keep your vents free from any obstacles but sometimes mistakes can happen. Dirty clothes might accidently get tossed on top of a vent, or a rug might slide its way over to a vent. The problem with blocking vents is that the cool air gets trapped, creating a moist, cool environment for mold to grow. An easy way to ensure mold remediation in Village is to just keep your vents open and free from clutter!
- Keep your house at a reasonable temperature: When it’s 90 degrees outside, keeping your house as cool as possible sounds pretty great. The rush of cold air hitting your body after being outside is a Godsend. If your home is too cool, condensation can form and eventually create mold. Experts recommend keeping your house at 78 degrees. This temperature not only saves on electricity costs but also mitigates condensation formation.
- Shut your windows and doors when the AC is on: If you’ve ever been asked if you were born in a barn, you might have trouble closing the door behind you. When the AC is on and you leave the door open, you’re causing two problems. First, you’re letting the cool air get out thus wasting money. Second, you’re letting the hot air in which will create condensation, leading to mold issues.
- Use the right size unit: Buying and installing the largest AC unit available might seem like a good idea at first. More power equals cooler air, which means you’ll be comfortable all summer, right? Wrong! Again, you don’t want your home being too cold. On top of that, if your unit is too large for your home, it’ll constantly turn on and off. That’s a huge waste of energy and money.
Other ways to prevent mold
Proper HVAC management isn’t the only key to saving yourself from having to deal with costly mold removal expenditures.
- Cover your crawl space floor: If you have a crawl space beneath your home you know how cool and damp they are. Ground moisture seeping up into the bottom of your house can lead to some really bad mold issues. To keep that moisture at bay, lay down a plastic vapor barrier. 6 mil polyethylene sheeting is sure to defend against ground moisture and isn’t too expensive.
- Install a dehumidifier: If you live in an extremely humid area, you may want to spend the money on a whole home dehumidifier. Although they cost about $1,000 they’re worth it. A whole house dehumidifier attaches to your furnace and sucks the humidity right out of the air. If you only have dampness in certain areas, you can purchase a portable dehumidifier for about $150.
If you happen to notice any mold growing in your home this summer, take action immediately. Our experienced professionals are more than happy to assess and correct any mold problems you are experiencing. Call us at 804-529-7697!