10 Ways to Prevent Costly Mold Damage to Your Home, continued..

10 Ways to Prevent Costly Mold Damage to Your Home, continued..

7. Look for standing water

If the air conditioner isn't the issue, search for standing water or chronic dampness that is increasing indoor humidity and providing a lovely environment for mold.

Check for puddles or dampness around hot water tanks, sump pumps, freezers, refrigerators, basement doors, and windows. Inspect crawl spaces for ground water dampness or foundation leaks

 8. Cover crawl space

Ground water seeping into crawl spaces can add gallons of moisture vapor into your house every day. The simplest defense is to cover crawl space floors with a plastic vapor barrier-6 mil polyethylene (landscapers plastic)-that traps moisture in the ground.

If you crawl in your crawl space, use a heavier plastic that won't rip as easily: Some 20 mil plastic coverings are on the market.

9. Add a dehumidifier

A dehumidifier removes excess moisture from the air.

You can buy a whole house dehumidifier ($1,100 to $1,800) that attaches to your furnace, treats air throughout the house, and connects to a drain so you never have to empty a tank. If you live in very humid areas, a whole-house system is the way to go.

If you have occasional bouts of dampness and musty smells, a portable dehumidifier will suffice ($150 to $200).

Most models have an auto shutoff that keeps the unit from overflowing when the storage tank is full. Some portables have a hose hookup that automatically sends water into a nearby floor drain.

To Be continued..

By; Karin Beuerlein