You can’t do anything about mold spores that travel on outside air and activate allergies, but when mold counts are high, you can limit outdoor activities. So, what about the mold spores that get trapped inside your home? Surely you don’t want to walk around the house donning a dust mask like you might when you’re cutting grass or working in your garden. Well, you can breathe easier because you don’t have to be subjected to recurring problems with mold inside your home. It’s possible to save yourself the time and expense of treating mold related allergies by following these few tips in the high water usage areas in your home.

In the bath

Leaky faucets are often an issue in the bathroom, and we can sometimes procrastinate when they need to be repaired. It is wise to fix any leaks in the bath as soon as you notice them. This will help to prevent the growth of mold around faucet heads or other areas affected by the leak. Using an exhaust fan in bathrooms without windows during a shower or bath can also effectively reduce mold spore growth. If there is a window, it’s okay to use it during these times as well, as long as you remember to close it when you are done to prevent new irritants from entering the room. Keep any rugs or carpeting in the bathroom from getting too wet. Drying your feet before stepping out of the shower can help with this. Soap scum and other films that can build up on tile and grout should be scoured away at least once a month to prevent the fungi that thrive on them from spreading.

In the kitchen

The same way you need to use an exhaust fan in the bathroom, you should use one in the kitchen as well, especially when washing dishes or cooking. After all, who really wants mold dancing all over their food or dishes? If you notice plumbing leaks in the kitchen, it’s important to address them immediately to reduce the risk of mold spore growth. Refrigerator drip pans should be kept cleaned out as often as possible because any standing water leaves that area ripe for mold infestation. While all household garbage should be emptied regularly, cleaning kitchen garbage pails frequently is critical to ensure that mold does not find a home there.

In the laundry room

Your laundry room is sometimes overlooked as a high water-use area, but it should also be a consideration when you’re trying to prevent mold growth or build-up inside your home. Make it a point to remove clothes from the washer soon after they finish washing, and don’t leave wet clothes sitting out. Good air circulation in a laundry room is important in reducing chances of mold spores hanging around in the space. Heat and humidity from dryers can also create moisture that should be kept to a minimum. Depending on the type of washer you have, rubber seals need to be cleaned often as well.

Final thoughts

Obviously, mold growth can occur in any part of your home where water is consumed. That’s why addressing standing water that exists anywhere around your house is wise. Still, the areas that you know are high water usage areas should be a priority when it comes to prevention. Contact the professionals at Restoration Certified Specialists if you are experiencing excessive mold in your home. We can contain the damage and clean and remove mold colonies, restoring your home to an allergy free zone.