Ten Tips for Reducing Mold in the Rainy Season

As the rainy season progresses, water will start flowing in places where it doesn’t belong. Especially in areas with high water tables, local residents will be dealing with flooding problems and roof leaks in the coming weeks. And when water becomes trapped in those confined sections of a house, mold is sure to follow.

Doug Coyle, owner of home repair business House Doctor on Bartlet Street, deals with mold issues on a routine basis and said that there are many things homeowners can do to be proactive about getting rid of mold.

Coyle said the first thing that people need to know is that mold only needs a constant source of moisture to grow and become a massive problem. He said the top three places it will grow is in the basement, the roof and in the walls. Coyle cautions that gloves and a face mask should be used when cleaning any mold.

Here are 10 tips to preventing and eliminating mold (Some of this might require some light construction experience or include minor expenses):

1.     Clean up and fix leaks as quickly as possible.

2.     Use a dehumidifier when there is a known leak or flooding (even if it's light).

3.     Ensure living spaces have good ventilation.

4.     When mold is still new (it is typically white), it can be cleaned by a mixture of water and bleach.

5.     Change the filter in your air conditioner once a year.

6.     Look for rotted wood on the exterior of your home. Water will get in and mold will grow inside the walls. Try to seal up the wall or hire somone to do it for you.

7.     Apply or hire a contractor to apply masonry sealer on the walls of your basement and the floor.

8.     Buy a HEPA filter for your vacuum. This will prevent the spread of smaller mold particles.

9.     Install (or hire a contractor to install) “Dri-Core,” which is a plastic subflooring that creates a layer of air in between the basement floor and the rug.

10. Using basic sheet rocking skills, smaller spots of mold on your walls can be eliminated by cutting out a section of the dry wall with mold on it and replacing it.

Coyle added that the bathroom is a top place for mold to grow, particularly the side of the shower where the curtain meets the wall and is typically not moved.  Cleaning your shower curtain and moving it from the corner routinely will help reduce the chances of mold in the bathroom.