Mold needs oxygen, food and moisture to grow. The only item you can control is moisture. Moisture can enter your home in a variety of…

Mold Prevention

Mold needs three things to grow: oxygen, food and moisture. The only item you can control is moisture.

Moisture can enter your home in a variety of ways. Some sources of moisture are easily identified and corrected, such as roof leaks, foundation problems, flooding, or landscaping issues.

However, high humidity levels are often the major source of moisture and can be the most difficult to identify and control. The humidity in your home should be between 40% and 50%. Higher levels will increase the biological pollutants in your home (mold and dust mites).

Mold can not grow if the humidity level is maintained between 40% and 50%.

As documented in Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes, a program developed through the EPA and Montana State University, the humidity level of a 1000 square foot area will be raised from 5% up to 60% with the introduction of 4 to 6 pints of moisture. A family of 4 generates 1/2 pint of moisture per hour simply by breathing. And seasonal outdoor humidity can add 64 to 249+ pints of moisture(water)into your indoor air.

Remember, “killing mold” will not prevent it from returning. Mold can remain dormant for over 20 years.

It is only through moisture control that mold growth can be prevented.