Although mold doesn’t grow well when it’s below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, autumn temperatures in the Albany NY Capital Region still hover in the 40s and 50s. In addition, fall is characterized by moist air, minimal sunlight and fallen leaves, creating an ideal breeding ground for mold. To help protect your home this fall, we’ve put together these helpful tips.
4 Tips to Protect Your Home from Mold
With a little prep this fall, you can prevent mold from spreading and causing more significant problems when the temperatures warm up again in the spring.
Remove Fallen Leaves & Debris
Mold spores feed on warm, organic materials, like decomposing leaves, and then are released into the air. To prevent mold spores from making their way into your warm home via open windows and ventilation systems, rake up fallen leaves and decaying debris, and move it away from your home.
Unclog Gutters
Clogged gutters and downspouts are another prime location for mold spores to grow. They can also lead to basement flooding. Keep your gutters clear of leaves and debris to prevent mold growth, and point downspouts away from the foundation to ensure rain water drains away from your home.
Inspect Plumbing
Cold weather can compromise pipes. In fact, pipe bursts are one of the leading causes of water damage in the Albany NY area. Even cracked or leaky pipes can create moisture and serious problems. To prevent colonies of mold and mildew from thriving undetected, inspect pipes for damage, and repair any leaks or cracks.
Maintain Humidity Levels
Turning up the thermostat creates warmer air, and now that your house is sealed up for the fall, there’s less air circulation. This can become a problem when you create steam, such as when showering, washing dishes, or cooking. Use an exhaust fan or crack a window to allow moisture to escape, and consider purchasing a humidity sensor to monitor moisture levels. If the levels exceed 65%, you made need to run a dehumidifier.
What to Do if You Find Mold
At CleanBright Surface Restoration, we work with a NYS licensed mold assessor to identify and isolate the mold, and then perform professional mold removal and treatment to prevent the mold from coming back. If you need mold removal and remediation in Albany, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, Troy, Glens Falls, Clifton Park, Hudson, Colonie, East Greenbush, Ballston Spa, Malta, or western VT & MA, give us a call at (518) 608-6242, or fill out the form below to get in touch.
