How to Prevent Mold in Buildings: 5 Tips and Tricks
Containing Moisture Issues and Water Damage
It’s a slippery slope from moisture to mold. Without the correct prevention measures, you could quickly have mold problems throughout your building.
Mold spores can grow in hard-to-reach spaces like your HVAC system or show up in bathrooms that haven’t been properly cleaned.
If problems get too out of hand, you can end up needing to hire professional cleaners—especially if mold is growing in places that require specialized care, such as your air ducts.
For those hoping to handle mold in-house, you’ll have to be prepared for intense scrubbing and possible bleach usage. Some mold damage, however, goes beyond cleaning. Many items such as ceiling tiles and carpets may need to be thrown out completely if the fungus has started to grow.
Lastly, cleaning can only do so much if you haven’t first solved the issue causing your mold. Leaks, humidity and poor construction can all contribute to mold.
Save yourself the cleaning, fees and concerns by preventing growth from the start. EHS recommends taking the following five steps towards stopping this dangerous fungus in its tracks.
1. Manage Your Humidity to Mitigate Mold
Do you know what the humidity levels are in your home or workspace? Chances are, you may have never checked.
If your humidity is too high, it could be creating an environment for mold to thrive. If there’s too much water vapor lingering in your air, it could be enough for mold to grow.
In order to keep mold at bay, you should keep your humidity below 60%. The EPA recommends that, ideally, your humidity levels are between 30% and 50%.
You can also increase ventilation and air flow to prevent damp air from lingering in your building.
2. Address Moisture Issues Before They Become Mold
Don’t let your leaks loiter. If you’ve found a leak in your pipes, roof, or gutters you should address the problem right away. Water can build up and soak through flooring or ceilings, creating opportunities for mold to grow.
Other moisture issues that can lead to mold include:
- Landscaping draining under your home or workplace
- Poorly ventilated appliances
- Condensation-coated pipes
- Unnoticed water spills
Your moisture issues don’t have to become mold. You can stop mold before it starts by addressing problems within 24-48 hours.
3. Inhibit Mold with Cleaners and Paint
Your bathroom is one of the most likely places for mold growth. Hot showers, pipe condensations and sink splashing can all spread water and moisture around your restroom.
One of the best ways to ensure your bathroom doesn’t become covered in mold is to use a mold fighting cleaner. You could use one with bleach or without. But if mold has already settled in, one of the best ways to remove it is using a bleach and water mixture.
There are also paints designed to resist mold growth. You can coat your walls with color paints that contain antimicrobials designed to hinder mold. However, these paints do not magically remove existing mold. If you use them to paint over moldy walls, you can just end up trapping the mold and allowing it to grow even more.
4. Maintain a Clean and Draining HVAC System
The last place you want mold is in your air ducts or HVAC drain pans. When it comes to the air you breathe, it’s crucial to keep it clean. If your HVAC drainage isn’t regularly removed, mold can grow around your system.
In addition, this fungus can fester in your air ducts. Once it’s in your ducts, you can end up regularly breathing dangerous mold-contaminated air.
5. Cleaning Up and Clearing Out Water Damage
Unfortunately, many things like carpets and ceiling tiles cannot be recovered after a flood, large spill, or utility leak. If you don’t remove absorbent items quickly, they can become homes for mold.
Significant water damage also calls for an efficient drying and dehumidifying process. If your home has flooded in some way, it’s best to bring in fans and dehumidifiers to quickly address the problem.
Mold Testing FAQs
When should I consider testing my home or workplace for mold?
You may need expert testing if you notice a musty, “old” smell, or if occupants are experiencing unexplained allergies, headaches or respiratory issues. Testing is also highly recommended if there has been a history of water issues, such as plumbing leaks or flooding. Even if mold isn’t visible, testing the indoor air quality can help identify hidden growth.
Where is mold most commonly found indoors?
Mold thrives in warm, damp areas prone to moisture and leakage. Common hot spots include:
- Basements and crawlspaces
- Bathrooms (around showers, tubs and toilets)
- Kitchens (under sinks or behind refrigerators)
- Laundry rooms (behind washing machines)
- HVAC units (in or around air conditioning components)
What are the health risks of leaving mold untreated?
While mold spores are everywhere in low concentrations, high concentrations can cause significant health problems. If left untreated, indoor mold can lead to:
- Nasal blockage and frequent sneezing
- Chronic coughing and asthma attacks
- Watery, itchy eyes and skin rashes
- Irritation of the nose, throat, and lungs
How can I prevent mold from growing in my building?
The most effective way to prevent mold is to control moisture levels. Key strategies include:
- Humidity Control: Keep indoor humidity levels below 60% (monitored with a hygrometer).
- Ventilation: Use exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms to vent moisture outside and keep interior doors open to circulate air.
- Maintenance: Regularly check for and repair plumbing or exterior leaks.
- Cleanup: If you see visible mold, remove it immediately and address the underlying moisture source to prevent it from returning.
Mold Testing from EHS
If you’re unsure if there is mold in your building, you should pursue professional mold testing. This is the best way to ensure you’re not inhaling mold.
Mold is one of many hazards that EHS helps businesses, schools, and families test for. Our comprehensive lab can process multiple kinds of mold samples including:
- Air
- Tape
- Swab
- Carpet
- Bulk
Don’t risk the respiratory issues, fatigue, and headaches regularly caused by mold; follow prevention tips and if you suspect you have mold, contact EHS for the test kits you need.