In early 2024, a family residing in Coeur d’Alene began to smell a musty odor in their basement. When they investigated, they found mold intruding from behind the storage boxes and furniture that was stored against the drywall. The cause? A slow, undetected leak on an outside spigot had saturated the wall cavity. What began as a minor problem quickly became a remediation project.
The good news is that the family, who contacted Brothers Restoration quickly, managed to mitigate the exposure and further damage to their home and health. Mold can not only destroy the components of your structure, but it can also result in significant health effects for people with allergies or respiratory issues.
Homeowners in Coeur d’Alene, especially, have their work cut out for them when it comes to indoor mold issues. Due to its humid climate, some of the major contributors to indoor mold growth can result from seasonal storms, plumbing leaks, or inadequate ventilation and indoor humidity.
In this article, we will take you through some of the best practices to keep your home mold-free all year long, as explained by professional mold remediation experts in Coeur d’Alene.
Tips to Prevent Mold Growth in Your Property
To stop mold from forming in your home, try to keep indoor humidity below 60%. Some of the other things you can consider doing include:
- Control Indoor Humidity
Because mold grows well in wet, damp places, your first line of defense is maintaining indoor humidity at an acceptable level of 30% to 50%. The summers in Coeur d’Alene (where humidity can be high) can increase the chances of mold if you are not careful.
Actions:
- Use dehumidifiers in your basement, bathroom, and other areas prone to dampness.
- Run air conditioning units to control temperature and overall humidity levels.
- Install and use hygrometers to check indoor moisture levels.
- Keep doors between rooms open to allow airflow.
- Make Sure to Ventilate
Poor ventilation can trap moisture in places where it is not wanted. Areas like bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and attics can cause mold to form on ceilings and walls, under sinks, or behind appliances.
Actions:
- Install and use exhaust fans in the bathrooms and kitchen areas.
- Open windows when the weather is appropriate to allow fresh airflow.
- Make sure all vents in the attic are uncovered and functional.
- Do not put furniture directly against any wall to avoid trapping moist air.
- Fix Leaks Right Away
Water leaks, even small ones, are the start of a perfect breeding ground for mold. It does not matter if the leak is from a roof, pipe, or window; you should take control of any uncontrolled water entering your home as soon as possible.
Actions:
- Check your plumbing system regularly for leaks.
- Seal window moldings and door sealings so rain does not get in.
- Check the roof after storms for missing shingles.
- Do not ignore wet walls or stained ceilings.
- Use Mold-Resistant Materials
When building or remodeling, use mold-resistant materials. These are particularly critical in high-humidity environments such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.
Recommended materials:
- Mold-resistant drywall, or “green board”
- Mold-inhibiting paint
- Pressure-treated wood
These products mitigate mold growth, particularly if there is an introduction of moisture.
- Clean and Completely Dry Wet Areas Right Away
Mold may start to grow as quickly as 24 to 48 hours after being exposed to water. This is why it is important to clean up spills, leaks, and floods right away.
Effective practices:
- Dry wet carpet, area rugs, and furniture.
- Remove and replace items that cannot be dried completely, such as soaked drywall or insulation.
- Especially after floods, use fans and dehumidifiers to dry out flooded areas.
Also Read: Get a Professional Mold Inspection: What to Expect
- Manage Your Gutters and Drainage Systems
If your gutters and drainage systems are not working, moisture from outside rainstorms can leak into your foundation. If water is pooling around your home, you are increasing the risk of basement leaks and mold.
Effective practices:
- Clean your gutters on a regular basis, especially in the fall.
- Ensure downspouts direct water at least 5 feet away from the home.
- Grade your yard to slope away from the foundation.
Improving your exterior is often very easy and can make a huge difference in controlling and preventing moldy situations.
- Monitor Your Property for Early Signs of Mold
Finding mold early is important for both reducing property damage and limiting health risks. Musty odors, surface color changes, and discoloration or water stains are all indicators of potential mold growth.
Signs and Symptoms:
- Dripping and sagging paint or wallpaper
- Distortion of raw wood or drywall
- General allergy symptoms that persist
- Black, green, or white spots on the walls or ceiling
If you discover any of these signs, please reach out to a licensed professional for mold inspection in Coeur d’Alene before it gets worse.
Can a Fire Disaster Lead To Mold Growth?
Fires create water damage when firefighters arrive to extinguish flames. If not dried properly and completely, water can cause mold growth. It is important to ensure that all moisture has been removed after a fire, and it is crucial to eliminate it before it starts developing into mold growth weeks or months later.
Many homeowners utilize fire damage repair in Coeur d’Alene in conjunction with mold prevention strategies. Therefore, it is always important to include drying a property as part of your fire damage repair plan.
Conclusion: A Mold-Free Home Begins with Prevention
Mold prevention involves no extreme steps, but just awareness and timely action. Your home can help prevent mold issues by limiting moisture, improving airflow, promptly completing repairs when you have leaks, and taking quick action.
If you see mold in small spots on drywall or flooring, make sure there is no hesitation or delay in having professionals help you fix the problem. If you recently experienced water damage or poor ventilation in your home, do not wait until mold begins to grow.
Brothers Restoration is Coeur d’Alene’s preferred provider of fire damage restoration and mold remediation services. As a premier, full-service disaster restoration company in Coeur d’Alene, Brothers Restoration will be there to protect your home and your family.
Whether it is water damage, fire, or mold, we pride ourselves on fast, dependable, and compassionate service. Our technicians are IICRC certified and are trained on the latest equipment and procedures for mold, water, and fire damage restoration. Contact us to schedule a free consultation today.
