Mold. Mildew. Fungal growth. Whatever it’s called, we all know one thing for sure: we don’t want it in our homes. Unfortunately, Minnesota’s climate comes with damp springs and high-humidity summers that are an ideal environment for the spreading of spores. These types of spores, when released into the air, can cause a host of health problems for those that encounter them. They can exacerbate existing disorders like asthma or lead to brand new problems with breathing, coughing, sneezing, and more. Yikes, right?

That said… what can you do about it? We’ve already established that no one wants mold in their home and why, but what about how? How do you prevent mold growth? We’ve got the answers in today’s post, where we’ll be reviewing five easy steps you can follow to keep mold from developing within your home.

How to Prevent Mold Build Up in 5 Simple Steps

Step 1: Assess the Current State

Before you take any steps to help stop the development of mold in your home, you have to check if it’s already there first. Luckily, the signs of mold growth are fairly obvious. You’ll want to do a walk through of your entire home, top to bottom, while looking for the following:

• Something smells funny. Mold doesn’t smell great. In fact, it has a particularly distinct scent. It’s a combination of mustiness, dampness, and staleness. Sometimes the scent gives it away before you notice any visual cues.
• You can see it. This one is pretty obvious, we know, but it’s still important to note. If you can see mold in one of your home’s many corners, it’s a sure sign that there’s more hiding from view. Common places to find visible mold growth include below sinks, behind your fridge, in ducts, around windows, and anywhere that contains plumbing lines.
• Your water bill has gone up. Plumbing leaks are one of the leading causes of in-home mold growth. If your water bill has gone up for no discernible reason, it could be because of a hidden leak. Hidden leaks, unsurprisingly, frequently lead to mold.

Step 2: Dry Any Wet Areas

Mold develops when water is allowed to collect and settle. We’ve already mentioned the importance of spotting hidden leaks, but what about other kinds of dampness? A few good rules to follow when it comes to keeping your home dry and mold free include:

• Immediately suss out the source of any standing water. This is most likely to happen in your basement or garage. Standing water can be caused by something as simple as a forgotten about spill. Whatever the cause, wipe it up as soon as you see it and make sure there’s no underlying cause.
• Wipe down the walls of the shower after using it. This will be a habit you’ll have to get your family to agree to. That said, it’s a simple effort you can make to lessen the chance of mold development.
• Don’t hang clothes to dry inside. Also, don’t leave damp clothing sitting in the washing machine. You want to avoid unnecessary moisture within your home as much as possible.

Step 3: Add Fans, Dehumidifiers, and ACs to Ventilate Problem Areas

When we say “problem areas,” we mean rooms in your home that are more likely than others to develop mold. These are most commonly areas that deal with excess moisture like bathrooms, laundry rooms, and mud rooms. The best way to combat moisture, of course, is through proper ventilation. Proper ventilation and air flow within a home dries out moisture before it can become a problem. You can add fans and dehumidifiers for immediate relief. To fight mold development long term, you can also consider upgrading your home’s air conditioning and ventilation units to higher capacities.

Step 4: Watch the Gutters

Gutters are a common culprit when it comes to mold development because they’re prone to clogging and are constantly processing water. If your home’s gutters are inadequately sized or frequently clogged, they’re even more likely to lead to mold. Make sure you clean your gutters on a regular schedule. If you don’t have the time to do it yourself, there’s no harm in hiring a professional to come take care of them for you!

Step 5: Use Mold-Resistant Products

If you want to go above and beyond, you can also invest in different mold-resistant products to help protect your home. They make mold resistant paint, for example. There are plenty of different mold and mildew cleaning products on the market as well. You might have to do some research to find the right products to fit your particular needs, but they’re definitely out there.

Keep the Mold Out

Preventing mold from developing in your home is important, especially as the weather starts to warm. It’s not the only thing that you should focus on as you freshen up your home in the new year. That’s why we’ve put together a useful helper just for you: our Spring cleaning checklist! Give it a look, check off a few boxes, and settle in for what we’re sure will be a lovely springtime.