Keeping mould from growing in your home will save you a lot of money and help maintain the resale value of your home.
To prevent mould from growing in your home, follow these simple steps:
• Look for damp spots: Check basements, closets, windowsills, roofs and around sinks, tubs and pipes.
• Fix damp spots right away: Repair water leaks as soon as you notice them. Clean up immediately after any flood.
• Keep your home well-ventilated: Open windows in dry weather or use fans as needed and turn on your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans when cooking or showering. Let the fan run for a few minutes after you’re done. Make sure your clothes dryer, stove, kitchen and bathroom fans all vent to the outdoors.
• Seal tubs and sinks: Make sure the seal is tight, so water doesn’t leak into the walls.
• Throw out basement clutter: Cardboard boxes and old clothes are great places for mould to grow.
• Reduce humidity: Keep humidity low, about 50 percent in summer and 30 percent in colder weather. If needed, use a dehumidifier or air conditioner to reduce humidity levels.
• Clean often: Regularly clean and disinfect anything that holds water, like humidifiers, de-humidifiers and air conditioners.
If you find mould, (greater than one square metre) and it comes back after repeated cleanings or a family member suffers from asthma or other respiratory problems as a result of mould, consider hiring a professional to clean it up. Remember, a large amount of mould is often the result of a bigger problem, like a leak in the foundation or a major flood, which you may need a professional to help fix.
Find more information at canada.ca/healthy-home
— News Canada
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