Moisture Control for Mold

Moisture is the best friend of mold, creating the ideal conditions for its growth and sustenance.  Even a surface that would seemingly be unable to support plant life can become a prime breeding ground for mold infestation, if it is damp and the surrounding temperature is ideal.  Consequently, preventing mold from becoming a frequent visitor in your home is mainly a matter of keeping the moisture under control.  This is not often any easy task, due to the large number of entry points for water in the average home.  There is typically water running at least several times a day in the bathroom and in the kitchen.  Water can seep up from your basement floor.  Poor waterproofing or leaks can introduce water into your walls or through your ceilings.  The situation becomes worse in warm climates, where humidity rises and the air is heavy with moisture.

The first course of action is to repair leaks and defects in your house’s structure that permit the entry of water.  Keeping water away from house could be a simple matter of providing flow channels from your house so the water does not collect underneath or around.  It may also involve extensive waterproofing of your roof and walls, and resurfacing of the landscape so that the ground slopes away from the house.  Leaky pipes should be found and sealed right away, as even a constant drip in any location will soon give rise to a thriving mold colony. 

Houses with crawlspaces would benefit from plastic covering over the dirt to prevent moisture from coming up through the ground.  Ventilation is important in this area, which is prone to collecting mold particles and retaining the heat and moisture that help them grow.  Ventilating the rest of your home isn’t a bad idea, either, and it may be worth it to attach exhaust fans in your bathroom and kitchen so that both moisture and hot air are expelled from the house.  Make sure the exhaust travels out of the house, and not upwards to the attic or above the ceiling tiles. 

Carpeting is a frequent breeding ground for mold, trapping dirt particles and moisture in its fiber threads.  You would be prudent to use area rugs instead of wall-to-wall installed carpeting, so you can wash the rug periodically.  It may be necessary to place plastic sheeting between a carpet and a concrete floor, along with some form of insulation, to avoid moisture accumulating.

Appliances like humidifiers and kerosene heaters can be a source of sufficient moisture to instigate a mold contamination.  If you notice moisture condensing on surfaces, like windows, it’s a sign that you should turn off these objects.  In fact, humidifiers are big contributors to moisture buildup, so they should not be used in buildings that do not have proper vapour barriers.  Speaking of moisture on windows, it is a good indicator of whether or not you are engaged in some habit that produces excessive moisture.  Several such practices are boiling and steaming when cooking, keeping too many plants in the house, taking long showers, or drying clothes indoors.  See what you can do to reduce or change these practices to lessen your indoor moisture.

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