Mold is one of the nastiest enemies in the battle to maintain your home. It’s subtle, sometimes hard to detect as it grows. It’s dangerous, releasing harmful toxins into the air. It eats into your home’s foundations and walls, harming the structure and lowering its value.
Here’s what you can do to stop mold before it starts.
1. Mold-Fighting Paint
Some paints have EPA-approved anti-microbial ingredients which prevent the growth of mold, and mold-resistant additives can be mixed in for paint that doesn’t. If you’re overdue for a fresh coat of paint, consider asking for anti-microbial, especially for areas that are fairly exposed like garage interiors.
2. Deny the Damp
Good ventilation will combat the damp conditions that mold loves. That’s why bathrooms, the dampest part of your home, usually have exhaust fans. They can be helpful in kitchens as well, especially kitchens that see a great deal of use. And make sure those fans are able to do their job by clearing any blockages in front of or inside air vents.
Keep an eye out for dampness in less expected areas, too. Leaking roofs and clogged drains can breed mold, so dry and clear them as soon as you detect them. Check plumbing, appliance hoses and hot water heaters for leaks that can lead to mold.
One of the places mold loves to hide is behind wallpaper. Bubbling, peeling, or stains can indicated moisture or mold coming up from underneath.
4. Destroy Invaders
Of course, when you find mold you need to take it out fast before it spreads. For hard, solid surfaces like tile, a good scrub with powerful cleaning products will do the job. But if the mold has taken root in porous materials, you’ve got a serious problem.
If possible, you’ll want to do whatever you can to immediately remove and replace the moldy material. Even if it’s the sheetrock in your walls, the problem will only get worse if you ignore it. Do what you can on your own, but if the growth is already close to out of control, it’s time to get professional help. Look into local mold removal services that can safely and thoroughly clean out the nasty stuff.
Stay vigilant and you’ll stay mold-free. And if you want the extra layer of protection that mold-resistant paint can provide and you’re in the greater Denver area, give Zenith Painting a call at 720-855-7019. We’ll take care of all the work for you, and we’ll even get you started with a free estimate.
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