Do NOT use fans if mold may already exist; a fan will spread the mold spores. Try to keep the humidity in your home below 40 percent. In moisture-prone areas, eliminate carpets or choose carpets of man-made fibers. Insulate to reduce potential for condensation on cold surfaces.
"If there's some mold in the shower or elsewhere in the bathroom that seems to reappear, increasing ventilation (running a fan or opening a window after every shower) and cleaning more frequently will usually prevent mold from recurring, or at least keep the mold to a minimum," according to the EPA website.
Turning off extractor fans means that moisture is not easily removed from inside your home which can lead to the formation of mould. This mould can damage your home, possessions and even your health.
Mold risk increases in cold apartment
This moisture, as well as moisture in the masonry, can promote mold growth. The mold problem is greater in the cold season than in spring or summer because cold air can physically absorb less moisture than warm air.
It is also very important that there is adequate ventilation in the room. Open a window or door so the mold spores can escape, instead of staying locked in your home.
Airtight windows and buildings require more active ventilation. your kitchen and bathroom has an extractor fan. This will help prevent moisture reaching other rooms, especially bedrooms, which are often colder and more likely to get condensation. Do not block air-brick vents or ventilators.
Preventing mold through heating
It makes sense that people want to save on heating cost, but one of the best mold prevention techniques is keeping your heating on. If you seriously want to avoid mold in your home then avoid rooms cooling completely.
Mold Growth- The colder you keep your home, the colder the walls, ceiling, floors, windows and more will be. Water vapor that gets into these porous materials is the ideal place for mold to grow. This also can happen when humid outdoor air gets into the home and the indoor humidity is low in the air.
The number one cause of mould in homes in the UK today is under-heating. You will get less mould if you keep your home warm, ventilate properly and minimise the amount of moisture you release into the air.
Modern ventilation is the most effective way to keep mould at bay. Ensuring that air continuously circulates through the home will reduce condensation so the mould cannot grow.
And the one way to control moisture is by having an exhaust fan to regulate the humidity levels, preventing mold, mildew, and other bacteria from growing.
Turn on your bathroom fan
As you are showering, make sure that you have a fan running to get rid of the humidity in the air. Most people forget this step, causing their bathroom to steam up creating mold on their ceiling or in cracks and crevices.
Reduce the moisture in the air with dehumidifiers, fans and open windows or air conditioners, especially in hot weather. Do NOT use fans if mold may already exist; a fan will spread the mold spores. Try to keep the humidity in your home below 40 percent.
To get rid of the majority of excess mold spores:
Ventilate your home: Keep your home properly ventilated by allowing fresh air in occasionally and making sure that humid areas (kitchen, bathroom, basement, and attic) have proper fan ventilation.
Mold grows faster in the summer months. However, winter doesn't always mean we are in the clear. Mold loves the dark spaces in our homes. Although it does not grow at temperatures below freezing, mold can survive in dormancy and await the coming spring.
Most yeasts and molds are heat-sensitive and destroyed by heat treatments at temperatures of 140-160°F (60-71°C).
So, dehumidifiers don't kill mould, but they can help to prevent it from growing inside your home by reducing humidity. However, the best way to deal with it is to get rid of its source.
Yes, if you have damp and mould in your home you're more likely to have respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies or asthma. Damp and mould can also affect the immune system.
High levels of humidity or dampness in the home leads to black mould growth on walls and ceilings. Depending on the moisture involved, bedroom mould often begins in the corners of the room, where condensation is collected as it tries to exit the home. Poor ventilation is usually the cause.
Keep the thermostat at 78 degrees or above. A higher thermostat setting and slightly warmer air temperature results in drier indoor air. In the cooling mode, temperatures lower than 78 degrees generate more humid air and cool indoor surfaces, increasing condensation that breeds mold.
Hydrogen peroxide kills mold spore on contact by breaking down proteins and DNA. It's normally used to clean mold on porous and non-porous surfaces. Ionized hydrogen peroxide can kill mold spores in the air, but it requires the use of a special fogging machine.
Poor Ventilation Can Lead to Mold Growth
If you combine moisture with restricted air circulation you will create a humid and moist environment, the ideal environment for mold to grow and thrive. Look for signs of mold growth, such as black, white or brown spots appearing on walls or a musty odor.
If you don't have any windows in your bathroom, consider investing in a ventilator fan or dehumidifier. This will have a similar effect to an open window, getting rid of excess humidity in the air after your shower.
Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin. Some people, such as those with allergies to molds or with asthma, may have more intense reactions.