Spring Tips

3/8/2019 (Permalink)

As the snow finally melts in Massachusetts, homeowners everywhere are dealing with more leaks, flooding and related problems in their home(s). With water damage, mold can follow. Fortunately, you can prevent the spread of mold this spring. These five simple and practical tips from SERVPRO of The Attleboros will help you control moisture, properly ventilate your home, thoroughly clean, and ultimately, prevent mold from growing inside of your home. 

Reposition Your Downspouts

Make sure your downspouts are positioned away from your home. This will ensure water drains away from the house preventing debris, soil, and stone buildup. Repositioning the downspouts will help ensure the interior of your home remains nice and dry and, as a result, free of fungal growth. 

Use a Dehumidifier 

Many homes have a closed-loop ventilation system, which essentially recirculates the same air indoors. To purify the air and prevent indoor air contaminants from collecting, consider using a dehumidifier. Your basement, for example, is a great place to install a dehumidifier, because basements are generally damp. The dehumidifier will help keep the relative humidity between 30 and 50 percent hereby preventing black mold growth.

Check Your Attic 

Inspect your crawl space, your attic or any room you tend to overlook or think little about. Because you do not spend a great deal of time in these rooms, you will neither consider nor suspect mold growth. The longer mold grows, the greater its damage. Not only will the cost to remediate the problem increase, but your health may worsen because of ongoing mold exposure. So, it is crucial you detect mold in its earliest stages. Inspecting the rooms you do not usually will help you do just that. 

Repair All Leaks 

If the wintry weather has damaged your home's foundation or roofing, leaving cracks of any size, water can easily enter. When you have moisture, the right temperature, and a food source (think drywall), mold can grow within just 24 to 48 hours. Act fast and fix leaking pipes, deteriorating window sills and frames, and even a cracked chimney or foundation. Inspect areas of your home where there's more plumbing and potential for leaks: in the basement and underneath the bathroom and kitchen sinks. Unfortunately, you cannot always see a leaking pipe. In many cases, it's either behind a wall or underneath a floorboard. For assurance and peace of mind, consider calling SERVPRO of The Attleboros for a professional assessment. 

Frequently Clean

Spring is the perfect time to clean your carpets; furniture; kitchen crevices; bathroom grout; and all of the dark, damp corners of your home. Cleaning each of these will help you keep tabs on problem areas. You are more likely to locate water damage and prevent mold if you are cleaning on a regular basis.

Always control moisture, keep sufficient airflow and clean your home often. If you see signs of mold following your spring cleaning, contact SERVPRO of The Attleboros to professionally clean, dry and disinfect the area. Mold in your home due to winter conditions is an unfortunate situation, but SERVPRO of The Attleboros will happily clean up any damage and make it look, "Like it never even happened." 

For additional tips, use this checklist to get your home spring-ready.