Keep Your House Mold-Free This Winter: 5 Tips to Prevent Mold Growth

If you live in an area with cold winters, you’re probably already thinking of ways to keep your house warm and cozy all season long. But in order to stay comfortable, your home must also be dry. That’s because mold and mildew thrive on moist environments. If you’re worried about the growth of mold during the winter, the experts of mold removal in Mississauga suggests the following tips to prevent the same.

Inspect for Leaks:

The first thing you should do is inspect your home for leaks. Any small leak in your roof, foundation or plumbing can cause mold problems. If you find any leaks, fix them as soon as possible! You should also make sure that pipes aren't leaking water outside the house. This is important because mold grows quickly and it's easier to prevent it before it starts.

Use a Dehumidifier:

Experts of mold removal in Mississauga suggests that a dehumidifier is one of the best ways to prevent mold growth during winter. If the humidity levels are high in your home, it will make it easier for any spores that might be present (or any new spores that enter the house) to grow. A dehumidifier can help lower these levels and keep your home free from mold. Another way you can use a dehumidifier is by running it on dry mode periodically throughout the day.

Ventilate Moist Areas:

Ventilating moist areas is important for preventing mold growth. When cooking, open the windows and turn on the exhaust fan. Before taking a shower, open a window or turn on a fan. After doing dishes or laundry, leave the door open until it dries out. By doing so, you will ensure your home is well ventilated and prevent moisture from building up inside.

Clean and Dry Wet Areas Immediately:

The next step in preventing mold growth is by cleaning and drying wet areas immediately. Clean up any surfaces that have been wet for more than a day or two, and then dry them thoroughly with a towel or paper towels. The quicker you can get rid of the water, the better. If your house has flooded, call an emergency service provider as soon as possible. You may also need to perform attic mold removal in Mississauga in this case.

Consider a HEPA Air Purifier:

HEPA air purifiers are a great option for mold prevention, as they filter out particles as small as 0.3 microns. These particles can contain allergens and irritants that cause respiratory issues and allergic reactions. To keep your home safe from mold, make sure your HEPA air purifier is set up in the area where you spend most of your time.

Mold can grow in your home if you aren’t careful about moisture and humidity, so this winter, make sure you’re taking steps to prevent mold growth from ruining your home’s indoors. Get in touch with a company specialized in mold remediation in Mississauga for any further assistance.

Why It's a Bad Idea to Remove Black Mold Yourself

 

If you’re tired of your mold problem and want to take care of it yourself, then you might be in for some bad news: not all mold can be removed from your home by you. Black mold, also known as toxic mold or stachybotrys, is very difficult to get rid of on your own and can cause serious health problems if not professionally treated right away. If you are wondering why, the experts of mold removal in Mississauga have listed a number of reasons below.

You Could Make it Worse:

Black mold needs to be removed by professionals. You could make the situation worse by not knowing where the mold is or how deeply it has grown into your home. A professional will be able to check other areas in your home for black mold and take steps needed to remove it from your property. Removing them yourself will only spread the spores throughout your home.

You Might Miss Areas Where Mold is Hidden:

One of the worst things about black mold is that it can be difficult to spot. A lot of people will think they've removed all of the mold and be done with it, only to find out later that there are still patches of it hiding in their home. This is why it's such a bad idea to remove black mold yourself- you don't want to risk exposing yourself or your family members when you have no way of knowing if you've caught everything. The good news is that experts who specialize in mold removal in Mississauga can help homeowners get back on track as quickly as possible.

You Won't Have the Right Equipment:

If you're worried about the black mold in your home, you may not have the right equipment to remove it safely. A professional will have special tools and training that make them more qualified than you are for attic mold removal in Mississauga. They use tools like blowers, chippers, air scrubbers, masks and protective gear to protect themselves from the dangers of black mold. You probably don't have these things lying around at home.

Mold Can be Toxic:

Black mold can cause serious health problems, especially for people with weakened immune systems. If you have asthma or suffer from allergies, it is best to avoid black mold altogether. Exposure can lead to serious respiratory problems such as asthma attacks or chronic bronchitis. This is why it is important to hire professionals who will do the job safely and securely.

Black mold remediation Mississauga can be very difficult and time-consuming, which can make it very tempting to do yourself instead of hiring professionals. Black mold infestations are notoriously difficult to get rid of, and if you don't have proper training, it will only make things worse. Talk to a team of professionals to get help in this regard.

4 Types of Mold You Might Find in Your Home

Mold is usually found growing in damp areas inside your home, such as basements and bathrooms. In fact, even if you can’t see mold, you can still smell it because it releases spores into the air that leave behind that musty odor you recognize from old houses or damp closets. Mold can grow just about anywhere, but certain areas inside your home are more prone to it than others, including the bathroom, laundry room, kitchen and the basement. According to the experts of mold removal Mississauga, here are four common types of mold you might find in your home.

Aspergillus:

Aspergillus is a large group of mold species that are common indoors. Many types of Aspergillus produce toxins, but not all do. Some people are sensitive to Aspergillus and may experience health effects. Health effects include allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and infections. If you have allergies or asthma, exposure to aspergillus can trigger an attack. If you are suffering from another respiratory infection, exposure to aspergillus can worsen your symptoms.

Stachybotrys:

Stachybotrys is a greenish-black mold that can grow on cellulose-based materials like drywall, fiberboard, paper, and insulation. This mold is often found in homes that have had water damage or flooding. Stachybotrys can release toxins into the air, so it's important to opt for mold removal in Mississauga as soon as possible.

It can cause flu-like symptoms such as headaches, fever, and nausea if inhaled over long periods of time. Some people are also allergic to this type of mold, with symptoms including skin rash, difficulty breathing, swelling around the eyes and face.

Alternaria:

Alternaria is a type of mold that can cause hay fever and upper respiratory tract infections. It's commonly found in soil, on plants, and on dead leaves. This mold can also be found indoors, on carpets, wallpaper, and in damp areas like showers and basements. If you have allergies, it's important to do mold remediation in Mississauga from your home to avoid triggering an attack.

Serpula:

Serpula is a type of mold that often grows on wood, paper, and fabric. It's recognizable by its pink or orange color and fuzzy texture. This mold is relatively harmless to humans, but it can cause allergic reactions in some people. If you find serpula in your home, you should remove it as soon as possible to prevent it from spreading.

Mold is more of an issue than many people realize, and it can occur in just about any part of your home that’s dark and has high humidity levels. The more moldy places there are in your home, the higher the likelihood that you’ll suffer some sort of allergic reaction to it. Talk to an attic mold removal Mississauga company sooner when you notice mold infestation in your home.

Mold in Mississauga: 5 Hidden Places You Might Find It

 

Mold can be a problem in homes across Mississauga. While most people know to look for mold in places like the bathroom or basement, there are also hidden places you might find mold that you wouldn't necessarily expect…here are 5 of them. Book an appointment with a mold removal Mississauga professional if you find mold.

1) Roof Ridges

One of those hidden places for mold is an attic roof ridge. Roof ridges typically collect water, which can foster mold growth if your home suffers from leaks or condensation. If you can't find mold on a roof ridge, look for discoloration or mildew growth. Just because you don't see it doesn't mean it isn't there; mold grows slowly and won't always be noticeable at first.

2) Inside Crawl Spaces

Do you have a crawl space under your house? If so, do you regularly check for signs of moisture that can cause mold to grow? Crawl spaces are often ignored by homeowners—they're dark and dirty, and they're usually full of spiders. But if you find any signs of water damage or mold inside your crawl space, it's important to get it taken care of as soon as possible. Mold is dangerous; it can cause allergies and respiratory problems, and in some cases, it has been linked to certain types of cancer. The longer you wait before getting rid of it, the worse things will get.

3) Behind Paneling

Mold can grow behind walls and underneath wood panelling. If you notice black spots on your walls, it could be mold. Don't be tempted to remove and replace any materials until you know for sure that you have mold growing behind them—the spores might spread through your home if you aren't careful.

4) Window Sills

Mold grows best in damp, dark places where it can thrive undisturbed. Basements and attics are common mold hot spots, but you might not expect mold to grow indoors on window sills, gutters, or other outdoor areas. Since they're never opened, window sills often collect moisture that allows mold to flourish. Check your window sills regularly for signs of black mildew or white spots. If you notice anything out of place, call a professional for help with mold remediation Mississauga.

5) Refrigerator Drip Pans

The drip pans located at the back of refrigerators are prone to collecting mold. When these drip pans collect too much water, they become a breeding ground for dangerous mold spores. This can cause serious health problems, especially for children and those with allergies or asthma. If you believe your refrigerator may have mold behind its drip pan, call our team of certified technicians immediately to inspect and remove it.

The Bottom Line

Mold is not a good thing to have. If you find mold in your home, it's best to act quickly and not let it fester. The longer you wait, the more damage it can do to your health and your property. When in doubt, call a professional for help with attic mold removal Mississauga. They can assess what needs to be done and get rid of any harmful molds that might be lurking around.