Worried About Mold? How To Keep It Out Of Your Home

If you live in a state with high humidity rates, you run the risk of mold growth on a daily basis. When it comes to mold, it has its favorite places to grow, such as the bathroom, under the sink, and near exterior faucets. However, it also has a few hidden places that it will grow, when given the opportunity. Here are three steps you should take to make sure you keep mold out of your home, and out of the air you're breathing:

Clean Your Ducts

You might not realize this, but if there's a lot of moisture in your home, you could have mold growing in the ducts. If you do, the mold spores are being dispersed into the air each time you turn the heater or air conditioner on. If you, or someone in your family, has allergies or breathing disorders, that mold could be posing a serious health risk. To keep mold out of your home, it's important that you have your ducts cleaned at least once every couple of years. If the humidity is particularly bad in your area, you might want to consider having your ducts cleaned once a year, and installing a dehumidifier in your home.

Flush Your Condensation Line

When it comes to your air conditioner, there's one small area where mold loves to grow; inside the condensation tube. The condensation drain line is a plastic PVC pipe that drains the water that builds up while your air conditioner is running. The higher the humidity level, the more condensation that will drain out. If you don't clean out your condensation drain line often enough, mold can start growing in it. Over time, the mold can spread to the walls, as well as other areas of the air conditioner. To keep mold away, you should flush the condensation drain line when you first start up your AC at the beginning of summer, and then again in the fall, when you shut it down for the colder weather. To clean your condensation drain, remove the cap and pour about ½ cup of distilled vinegar into the PVC pipe. Allow the vinegar to soak for about a half hour, and then flush with clean water.

Improve the Ventilation in Your Attic

If your attic isn't properly ventilated, you could end up with a mold problem. The attic is an excellent environment for mold growth. During the summer, the heat outside mixes with the cool air from the air conditioner, creating the perfect storm for mold growth. The reverse occurs during the winter when the cold air from outside the home mixes with the warm air that rises from the heater. To properly ventilate your attic, try installing attic fans.

Don't let mold take over your home. Use the tips provided here to control mold growth in your HVAC system and the attic. Contact a company like Alabama Climate Control for more information and assistance. 

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