How to control mold
How to control mold
There are many ways to control moisture in your home:
Fix leaks and seepage. If water is entering the house from the outside, your options range from simply landscaping to extensive excavation and waterproofing. The ground should slope away from the house. Water in the basement can result from water flow toward the house or from a lack of gutters.
Be aware that water leaks in pipes or around tubs and sinks can provide a space for biological pollutants to grow.
Put a plastic cover over dirt in crawl spaces to prevent moisture from coming in from the ground. Be sure crawls paces both below and above the living quarters are well-ventilated.
Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to send moisture to the outside rather than into the attic.
Turn off appliances such as humidifiers or kerosene heaters if you notice moisture on windows and other surfaces.
Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners to reduce moisture in the air, but be sure the appliances themselves don't become sources of mold.
Raise the temperature of cold surfaces such as windows where moisture condenses. Use insulation or storm windows. A storm window installed on the inside works better than one installed on the outside.
Open doors between rooms to increase circulation.
Pay special attention to carpeting on concrete floors. Carpeting can absorb moisture.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency