Mold Prevention

Mold Prevention

How to Prevent / Minimize Indoor Mold Growth

The best way to prevent or minimize indoor mold is to understand and eliminate the conditions under which mold will thrive.

Mold grows best in the following conditions:
  • Moisture content greater than 20 %
  • Relative humidity above 60%
  • Temperature above 68 degrees F
  • Nutrient or organic material on which to grow (wood, sheetrock, paper, ceiling tiles, etc.)

Mold can cause property damage and a variety of health issues, so it is important to identify the source, minimize moisture/humidity, and properly clean the visible mold as soon as possible.

Here is a basic mold checklist that we provide to our clients to help them stop mold from spreading. If you would like to schedule a consultation with a member of our IAQ Team, give us a call.

Mold Prevention Checklist
  • Within 24 to 48 hours of any water event, you should remove all wet items, including sheetrock, carpet, furniture, etc.
  • Discard anything that cannot be cleaned and thoroughly dried. 
  • If you see mold growing on an item or surface that can be cleaned, use water and detergent to clean the visible mold, and then dry it completely.
  • Moldy absorbent materials (such as ceiling tiles or carpeting) should be replaced.
  • Do not bring anything back into the space until it is clean and completely dry.
  • Rent, buy or borrow a sump pump, shop vacuum, buckets or siphon hoses, whatever you can find to remove standing water from the space.
  • Use industrial blowers, dehumidifiers, fans, open windows and vents, etc. to remove the remaining moisture.
  • If you don’t have one, purchase a hygrometer at your local hardware store (usually cost less than $30). After you have done all of the above steps, close all windows and measure your indoor humidity. Ideally it should be about 30% to 60%. If it is higher than 60%, mold is likely to grow.
  • Continue working to remove the moisture from the area and keep measuring until you can get the humidity below 60%.

A few things to keep in mind for mold prevention in areas prone to mold, water intrusion, and moisture problems:

  • control humidity and temperature levels (use dehumidifiers / air conditioners when necessary)
  • avoid carpeting, wood, paper (anything mold is able to grow on) and wipe surfaces often
  • eliminate condensation by installing plenty of insulation
  • find and eliminate all sources of moisture

Remember, there is no way to eliminate all mold from the indoor environment. The best way to control mold is to control the moisture and follow the mold prevention tips listed on this page.

Good luck, and if you have any questions along the way, or are still having problems and want to schedule a mold investigation, give us a call.