New York Indoor Air Quality Solutions offers dependable indoor air quality testing and mold removal across Long Island, New York. We want homes and offices in the area to be safe from mold. Increased mold has detrimental health effects. For more information about our various services, please give us a call today. The number for our office is 631-275-5999. When you call, we can provide you with a free consultation to go over your mold issue. We offer professional mold inspections and removal. Get the best when you turn to us!
Tips To Reduce Your Risk
Here are some key tips to help reduce your risk for mold.
- Use a dehumidifier in the basement during the warmer months … Late April – Late October and set the unit at 45%. Mold grows at 60% and above.
- Use air conditioning in the summer to prevent excess humidity on the above-grade levels. If you don’t have A/C, use fans and open windows, airflow helps prevent mold.
- Keep a clean house. Dust and grime are biologicals which spores treat as the soil to grow in. Humidity or condensation is the moisture. Vacuum and dust regularly. Keeping your house vacuumed and dusted will remove mold spores that enter your home, and this will prevent the mold from taking root and growing. For the best results, vacuum and dust your entire home weekly.
- Ideally, you should use a vacuum that has a HEPA filter, but this isn’t strictly necessary.
- Maintain clean and free-flowing gutters and the leaders to divert water away from the foundation walls.
- Use bathroom fans to reduce moisture. Use kitchen ventilation fans when cooking as well.
- Maintain proper filter changes in HVAC systems so dust does not accumulate inside the ducts and mechanical systems. Use pleated filters, not the inexpensive fiberglass filters.
- Don’t ignore damp clothes. When you’re doing laundry, don’t leave wet clothes to sit in the washing machine, as mold will start to grow on the clothes. As soon as the washing cycle is complete, remove the clothes from the machine and transfer them to the drier or the line outside.
- Crawlspaces should have a vapor barrier over the dirt or installed under the cement floor. They should be properly ventilated, and pipes insulated.
Carpet Is More Prone To Mold
Clean spills and floods immediately. It only takes between 24 and 48 hours for mold to begin growing on wet surfaces. To prevent this, address standing water as soon as the spill, leak, or flood occurs. This includes water on:
- Carpets and floors
- Furniture
- Clothing
- Bedding
- Foundation walls and basement floors
Replace basement and bathroom carpets with area rugs. Areas that are prone to being wet shouldn’t be fully carpeted.
This includes basements that are damp or prone to flooding, and bathrooms. Instead, remove the carpet and install area rugs if necessary. Area rugs are better than carpet because they can be removed, cleaned, and dried if they get wet. We always recommend ceramic or porcelain tiles in basements if it fits into your budget.
Fix Leaks
Leaks are the main cause of moisture problems in a house, which can come from pipes, appliances, the roof, and faucets and taps. Inspect your home regularly for leaks and signs of water damage, and repair issues immediately. Don’t forget to check for leaks:
- Under sinks
- Around fridges, water coolers, and ice makers
- Under floors, especially in the basement
- Around air conditioners
- Near toilets, tubs, and showers
Call Today For More Information!
If you have that musty mildew type of odor in your home or basement, that is a sign that mold is growing. Call a reputable licensed mold assessor to locate the source. Don’t be scammed into believing they will need to run an excessive number of samples. A good mold assessor may be able to find the source visually and or by running just a few samples. For more information about our services, please contact us today. When you reach out, we can provide you with all the details on how to get started.