Ways to Stave Off and Eliminate Mold in Your Home

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Do you worry about a mold outbreak in your home? While household mold is generally not of the toxic, black variety that has gotten so much play in the press, any type of mold — and there are thousands — can be concerning. Left unaddressed, mold can create an unpleasant smell in your home while ravaging drywall, wood, carpets, and other materials. Mold spores can also aggravate respiratory problems.

Let's have a look at some relatively easy steps you can take to eliminate mold.

Dealing with Household Mold

Mold generally occurs when damp conditions prevail — say, with a plumbing or ceiling leak. Mold spores are always in the air and looking for an opportunity to colonize in damp places. If your leaky conditions aren't quickly addressed, you may find that mildew, fungus, or even mold have moved in. Once established, mold will give off a rank, damp odor and be evident in streaks or mottled places on your walls, ceiling, floors, or carpets.

A note here: Even if you see black mold, chances are it's simply common, nontoxic black-colored mold rather than the toxic black mold that we've all been warned about.

To control and eliminate mold, keep humidity in your home under 50%. (An inexpensive hygrometer will help you monitor humidity levels.) Change your air conditioner filter as recommended so that air flows through it efficiently and moisture is removed, as should happen during the air-conditioning process. Schedule regular maintenance to ensure coils are clean, which will also help ensure proper dehumidification.

If your house is still too humid, look into exhaust ventilation for the kitchen or bathrooms. You may want to acquire either a portable dehumidifier (you will have to move it from room to room) or a whole-home dehumidifier, which must be installed in your HVAC system.

To eliminate mold that's formed and clean up moldy places, mix a cup of bleach in a gallon of water and scrub. If the mold has proliferated too much, you may need to replace the materials it has damaged, such as sections of drywall or wood floors.

For more on how to eliminate mold, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.

Which Winter Allergens Are Most Common?

Most winter allergies are triggered by indoor allergens. Although these allergens are usually in your house throughout the year, they may flare up during the winter because you spend more time indoors with your windows closed. Your heating system may also circulate them throughout the house. Find out what these common winter allergens are and how you can avoid them or minimize exposure to them.

Common Winter Allergens

The indoor allergens that commonly trigger allergy symptoms in the winter include:

• Pet dander. You can find pet dander from cats and dogs on almost any surface in your home. They can cause more allergies in the winter due to your furry friends spending more time indoors, particularly in the living room or bedroom.

• Mold. Indoor mold thrives in damp areas such as under sinks, basements, and bathrooms. Humidifiers and leaky faucets or pipes can encourage mold growth.

• Dust mites. These are commonly found on carpets, bedding, and upholstered furniture in your home. Their poop can become embedded in your household dust. Use of indoor heating and failure to wash bedding regularly can increase exposure to these allergens.

• Cockroach droppings. They are commonly found in dark, moist spaces like under sinks, behind appliances, or inside kitchen cupboards.

How to Combat Winter Allergens

Here are some useful preventive measures you can take to guard against common winter allergens:

• Use a humidifier to combat winter air dryness, but make sure the indoor humidity doesn't exceed 50%.

• Put hypoallergenic cases over your pillows and mattresses to keep out dust mites.

• Wash your bedding, removable upholstery covers, and clothes in hot water regularly to reduce the buildup of dust mites and pet dander.

• Seal crevices and cracks, fix leaky pipes and faucets, and clean up any crumbs or leftovers.

• Vacuum your home regularly using a vacuum with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter.

While removing the common winter allergens entirely may not be possible, you can significantly reduce your exposure to them using the steps above. Contact us at Air Assurance for the best heating, cooling, air-quality, and plumbing solutions in the Broken Arrow area.

How Do You Handle Mold in HVAC Systems During the Summer?

Mold colonies can damage property and possessions and cause health problems for those in your home. Significant mold growth will emit a foul, musty, and earthy odor. During the summer, mold in HVAC systems can also become a substantial problem that affects your home's indoor air quality, the health of its occupants — and your pocketbook. Read on to learn where to look for mold in HVAC systems and how to go about mitigating mold problems.

Mold in the HVAC Filter

The HVAC filter is an important device that protects vital parts and ductwork from dirt and grime buildup. However, the air filter also traps mold spores that can develop into mold growth. Check the filter and surrounding area each month for mold in HVAC filters. If you do see mold, remove the filter, clean the affected area, and install a new filter.

Mold in the Evaporator Coil

One of the vital components of the HVAC system that the air filter helps protect is the evaporator coil. Mold spores that aren't trapped by the air filter can collect and grow on the coil. If you see mold on the evaporator coil, use a spray-on foam coil cleaner to destroy the mold and to remove dirt and grime.

Mold in the Condensate Pan and Line

The condensation that collects on the evaporator coil drips into a condensate pan. From there, condensation flows through a condensate drain tube. If you want to find and remove all mold in HVAC systems, you'll need to check the condensate pan and line. For mold removal, pour a quart of a 50/50 concoction of water and bleach into the pan.

Mold in the Ductwork

The air ducts are the lungs of your HVAC system, and they are just as susceptible to mold growth as the other HVAC parts are. Mold growth in the air ducts should be mitigated by a professional duct cleaning done by a professional, such as your HVAC contractor. Duct cleaning and mold removal will improve your indoor air quality only if it is done correctly.

If you need help mitigating mold on the HVAC parts and in the drains and ducts in your Broken Arrow home, please contact the HVAC professionals at Air Assurance right away.

Learn How to Combat Sudden Water Leaks

There’s nothing like a sudden water leak in your home to cause an anxiety attack. Ruptured pipes, overflows, and other causes can cause substantial losses: Insurance companies pay out an average of $1.2 billion in claims every year due to water damage from indoor sources. Fortunately, like many household hazards, being prepared for a sudden water leak helps reduce panic — as well as potential losses.

Stay Ready

Be prepared to shut off all water to the house quickly in case of a sudden water leak. Know the location of the home’s main water-shut-off valve. Since these valves may become stuck or at least very hard to turn, test the valve twice a year. If it’s difficult to operate, contact a plumber to resolve the problem.

Contain the Damage

Even after the water is shut off, damage continues as water spreads inside the house. Act fast to mop up pooling water before the damage expands to other rooms. Use a mop or even towels to remove water and stop the spread. If an exterior door is nearby, open the door and push pooling water outside with a floor squeegee or a broom.

Prevent Mold

Dormant microscopic spores need only one element to convert into toxic mold growth: water. After a sudden water leak, the clock is ticking. Active mold growth begins contaminating a house within 48 hours. Take prompt steps to remove all water and dry out the home as soon as possible. If the amount of water released is more than a pool limited to the floor of a single room, contact a professional water-damage recovery service.

Stay Safe

Not every sudden water leak originates from a safe source like a broken water supply line or a washing machine. Raw sewage may be involved in plumbing backups that affect a house. Sewage is highly toxic and presents serious health threats. Clean-up is not a job for amateurs. Avoid all contact with sewage and call a professional water-damage service immediately. 

For more advice about dealing with a sudden water leak in your home, contact Air Assurance.