howtodosite

By a contributing writer.

Mold build up in your home can cause serious health problems if not controlled. Mold can cause respiratory problems such as wheezing, difficulty breathing and shortness of breath. Other potential problems are eye irritation, dry coughs, nose bleeds and skin irritation. Mold can be particularly hard on people with asthma, especially children. There are some things that you can do minimize the risk of health problems caused by mold. Below I will explain some steps you can take to control mold in your home.

1) If you don’t have a range hood or ventilators in the bathrooms then you will need to install them. Make sure they vent to the outside of the home and not into the attic since this will only move the problem from one part of your home to another.

2) Move any furniture that is up against the wall out a little so as to allow air to circulate properly. Loosen things up in your closet as well for the same reason. That odor the clothes have after they’ve been stored for a long time is mold. Open all the closets on a regular bases to allow fresh air in and any moisture to escape.

3) Use an oil base paint especially in the kitchen and bathrooms. Oil based paints have a “perm” rating of .5 to 1.5 compared to latex paints that have a rating of 8.5. The “perm” rating is a measure of a materials ability to allow water to pass through. The lower the better.

4) Wrap any cold water pipes with insulation to reduce condensation. Fix any leaks found no matter how small immediately. Check and make sure all A/C ducts are properly wrapped and sealed. Sometimes with age the tape will come loose and condensation will form leading to mold growth.

5) Replace any carpet or at least the backing it if got wet. The carpet can be cleaned but the backing will become a fertile ground for mold growth.

6) Clean out the A/C drip pan in the attic if you have one. They become clogged and can overflow onto your ceilings.

7) If you have a basement consider a dehumidifier and painting all exposed wood surfaces with an oil-based paint. Seal the concrete floor with a quality floor paint to seal out moisture.

Tips: If any mold is found on household surfaces,clean with a solution of 50% bleach and 50% water.
* To remove mold from wood surfaces use TSP (Tri Sodium Phosphate)
* BIN or Kilz are two excellent primer-sealers to keep moisture out.

Warnings: Latex paints are easy to use but they offer little to no resistance to moisture.

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