Tips for Preventing Mold in Your Home (Part 1)

Once mold has made itself comfortable inside your home, it can be almost impossible to completely eliminate it on your own. The only way to truly get rid of it is by hiring a mold remediation company. You could also avoid the hassle and expense of discovering mold in your home by preventing it altogether. TEK Inspections recommends following these tips to keep mold at bay in your Reno area home.

Whole Home

When it comes to your home, there are particular steps you can take to keep the internal humidity down. Watch for any signs of excess moisture indoors and take appropriate action to keep it from turning into mold:

• Keep humidity down by using dehumidifiers in winter and air conditioners during summer.
• Watch for plumbing leaks and have them repaired as soon as possible.
• Prevent water from seeping into your home by making sure the ground is sloping away from the house. If it’s not, consider waterproofing the foundation or updating the landscape surrounding your home.
• Take pre-emptive action and have an HVAC contractor check the heating and cooling system to ensure it’s properly controlling the internal humidity.

Kitchen

The kitchen is an ideal environment for mold to grow. From appliances that use water to kitchen plumbing behind cabinets, there are plenty of spaces for mold to take hold. Follow these steps for preventing mold growth in your kitchen:  

• Install and use exhaust fans to clear out moisture while cooking, cleaning, or washing dishes.
• Be on the lookout for condensation on kitchen windows, ledges, and other surfaces.
• Check for leaks near the kitchen sink, ice maker, refrigerator, and any other appliances that use water. Have them repaired as soon as possible, and dry out the wet area with fans and dehumidifiers.

We Give You Peace of Mind

If you’re buying a home that you suspect has current or previous mold damage, contact TEK Inspections today by calling (775) 746-4990. We provide mold testing, along with radon testing, infrared inspections, and residential inspections, throughout the Reno area and surrounding communities. 

Source: Dunkin, Mary Anne. “Moisture and Mold Problems: Preventing and Solving Them in Your Home.” Web article. WebMD. 05 Feb. 2021. Web. 29 Nov. 2022.