Prevention Tips for Mold in Tennessee

The best way to stop a mold infestation in your home is to prevent it from even starting. Discover these effective methods of preventing mold from U.S. Pest Protection. Think you may have mold forming in your home? Give our experts a call today.

Be Mindful in the Bathroom

Moisture thrives in areas with poor airflow. Without air movement, water droplets are more likely to hang in the air rather than dry up. Poor air flow also leads to warmer temperatures. This combination of humid air and warm temperatures leads to a moist environment that’s a mold paradise.

Whenever you shower or run a bath, be sure to turn your bathroom fan on, or leave the door open after you finish. This will help dry out the air and prevent mold growth. Additionally, remember to hang your towels to dry properly. If towels stay damp for too long, they can develop mildew, a milder form of mold.

Wash Your Fabrics and Upholstery

Your bathroom isn’t the only spot where mold can thrive. If moisture sits in your clothes or upholstered furniture for too long, they can develop mold. When your fabrics or upholstery suffer any kind of water damage, make sure to dry them thoroughly or get them professionally cleaned.

While mildewed clothes and towels can be saved with a hot cycle in the washing machine, mold is often difficult to prevent in water-damaged furniture. It may be your best bet to get rid of furniture that you suspect has mold or mildew. Signs of infested clothes or furniture include:

• A musty smell
• Fuzzy or slimy spots
• Green, black, or white stains

Check for Moisture in Your Carpets and Concrete

Even if you’ve washed all your clothes and thrown out water-damaged furniture, mold could still be lurking in your carpet. The padding underneath carpets is notorious for holding onto mold-producing moisture. If your carpet smells musty or has strange spots or discoloration, it’s best to either remove it or get it professionally cleaned. 

Concrete is also prone to holding onto mold-producing moisture. If your concrete walls or floors have damp areas for extended periods of time, they could develop mold. While it’s possible to remove mold from concrete, it’s easier to prevent it from growing with a dehumidifier.

Regularly Clean Your Pipes and HVAC Ducts

While it’s easy to keep an eye out for mold in your bathroom or kitchen, you may not realize your pipes or HVAC ducts are infested until it’s too late. If they’re not properly maintained, the pipes, vents, and ducts in your home can become too moist. Whether they’re leaking, dripping, or just too humid, mold can easily latch onto them and grow. 

Keep your home’s HVAC ducts and pipes as clean and dry as possible. While avoiding moisture may be impossible for your pipes, you can pour hot water down them periodically to clean out potential mold. Additionally, check your pipes for leaks, as the dripping water could lead to mold forming outside of the pipes.

Water that forms in your HVAC duct can feed mold that spreads allergy-triggering spores throughout your home. Prevent mold in your HVAC by:

• Draining your drip pan
• Cleaning your HVAC ducts with an EPA-approved cleaner
• Insulating the ducts to keep out humidity

Safeguard Your Home with U.S. Pest Protection

At U.S. Pest Protection, we believe protection begins with prevention. After a free mold inspection of your home, our experts will form an effective prevention plan to give you and your family peace of mind. Protect your home from mold, and schedule your free inspection today!