Mold Prevention
Depriving Molds of the Moisture They Need to Survive and Thrive
• Fix leaky plumbing and leaks in the building envelope as soon as possible.
• Watch for condensation and wet spots. Fix source(s) of moisture problem(s) as soon as possible. Insulate any cold
water pipes that have a visibly damp exterior.
• Prevent moisture due to condensation by increasing surface temperature or reducing the moisture level in air
(humidity). To increase surface temperature, insulate or increase air circulation. To reduce the moisture level in air, repair
leaks, increase ventilation (if outside air is cold and dry), or dehumidify (if outdoor air is warm and humid).
• Keep heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) drip pans clean, flowing properly, and unobstructed. Use a
properly sized air conditioner. Use ceiling fans - Mold is more robust in poorly ventilated areas with little air movement to
disrupt their growth.
• Remove excess humidity from the kitchen, laundry and bathroom by using an exhaust fan or opening a window. Vent
moisture-generating appliances, such as dryers, to the outside where possible. Hang wet laundry outside or use a clothes
dryer when indoor humidity is high.
• Avoid storing papers, clothing, or other "mold food", in contact with basement floors or outer walls where their
moisture content could become high enough to initiate mold growth.
• Maintain low indoor humidity, below 60% relative humidity (RH), ideally 30-50%, if possible. Use an electrically
powered dehumidifier or a natural gas desiccant dehumidifier to keep indoor relative humidity below 50 percent (as measured
in the middle of rooms) and below 60 percent near the coolest surfaces.
• Perform regular building/HVAC inspections and maintenance as scheduled.
• After taking a shower, wipe water droplets on the shower walls into the drain. Clean and dry wet or damp spots within
24 hours.
• Do not carpet bathrooms or basements
• Make certain that rain water drains away from the building quickly enough to prevent saturation of walls and floors
that contact the earth. Reduce entry of water vapor from the soil. Don't let foundations stay wet. Provide drainage and slope
the ground away from the foundation. Make sure the ground slopes down at least 6 inches within the first ten feet from each
exterior wall.
• The widespread practice of shutting down ventilation systems during unoccupied hours should be stopped. Instead
buildings should continually be slightly pressurized to prevent infiltration of moist air and radon. Some dehumidifiers can
help you control humidity and provide necessary ventilation at the same time.
Depriving Molds of the Moisture They Need to Survive and Thrive
• Fix leaky plumbing and leaks in the building envelope as soon as possible.
• Watch for condensation and wet spots. Fix source(s) of moisture problem(s) as soon as possible. Insulate any cold
water pipes that have a visibly damp exterior.
• Prevent moisture due to condensation by increasing surface temperature or reducing the moisture level in air
(humidity). To increase surface temperature, insulate or increase air circulation. To reduce the moisture level in air, repair
leaks, increase ventilation (if outside air is cold and dry), or dehumidify (if outdoor air is warm and humid).
• Keep heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) drip pans clean, flowing properly, and unobstructed. Use a
properly sized air conditioner. Use ceiling fans - Mold is more robust in poorly ventilated areas with little air movement to
disrupt their growth.
• Remove excess humidity from the kitchen, laundry and bathroom by using an exhaust fan or opening a window. Vent
moisture-generating appliances, such as dryers, to the outside where possible. Hang wet laundry outside or use a clothes
dryer when indoor humidity is high.
• Avoid storing papers, clothing, or other "mold food", in contact with basement floors or outer walls where their
moisture content could become high enough to initiate mold growth.
• Maintain low indoor humidity, below 60% relative humidity (RH), ideally 30-50%, if possible. Use an electrically
powered dehumidifier or a natural gas desiccant dehumidifier to keep indoor relative humidity below 50 percent (as measured
in the middle of rooms) and below 60 percent near the coolest surfaces.
• Perform regular building/HVAC inspections and maintenance as scheduled.
• After taking a shower, wipe water droplets on the shower walls into the drain. Clean and dry wet or damp spots within
24 hours.
• Do not carpet bathrooms or basements
• Make certain that rain water drains away from the building quickly enough to prevent saturation of walls and floors
that contact the earth. Reduce entry of water vapor from the soil. Don't let foundations stay wet. Provide drainage and slope
the ground away from the foundation. Make sure the ground slopes down at least 6 inches within the first ten feet from each
exterior wall.
- Keep the air pressure in the lowest rooms slightly higher than the soil gas pressure to minimize entry of water vapor
through pores and cracks in the concrete. - Use subslab depressurization to expel water vapor and radon from the soil to the exterior so they don't leak into your
home through pores and cracks in the concrete.
• The widespread practice of shutting down ventilation systems during unoccupied hours should be stopped. Instead
buildings should continually be slightly pressurized to prevent infiltration of moist air and radon. Some dehumidifiers can
help you control humidity and provide necessary ventilation at the same time.
| Remember, only you can prevent mold infestation. |
Molds are incapable of obtaining the moisture needed for their development directly
from the atmosphere, but they can obtain it from a substrate, which has absorbed
moisture from moist air (60% to 100% relative humidity). The relative humidity of the
air has an indirect effect on fungal growth, and the more hygroscopic a material was, the
more susceptible it is to mold growth. The minimum moisture content at which mold
growth occurs depends on the material and usually ranges from 10% to 14%. Suitable
substrates include carpet fibers, gypsum, concrete, bricks, etc.
from the atmosphere, but they can obtain it from a substrate, which has absorbed
moisture from moist air (60% to 100% relative humidity). The relative humidity of the
air has an indirect effect on fungal growth, and the more hygroscopic a material was, the
more susceptible it is to mold growth. The minimum moisture content at which mold
growth occurs depends on the material and usually ranges from 10% to 14%. Suitable
substrates include carpet fibers, gypsum, concrete, bricks, etc.
| MoldSprayers LLC mold remediation experts Serving northwest Florida and surrounding areas Licensed Mold Remediation & Mold Inspectors Certified Mold Remediation - Certified Mold Testing Assessment |
| Contact us at: 1-850-499-2227 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| Copyright© 2005-2011 Moldsprayers LLC This site is written and maintained by Jim Bellew |
| Attention All Contractors! We offer pre-construction treatments |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |