Mold Awareness Month : Do you Know What May be Living In Your Home

September is Mold Awareness Month. If you are a home owner I am sure that you try your best to keep your home in tip top condition. Mold is a top consideration in keeping a home's indoor air clean and healthy. Exposure to some types of mold can lead to health issues such as eye irritation, wheezing and nasal congestion. To help promote mold awareness the EPA has designated the month of September as national indoor mold awareness month. Some tips for homeowners to avoid mold in their house include:



Fix all leaks, whether it be roofs, foundations, faucets, or pipes. Leaks should be fixed on a regular basis. If not fixed these areas can build up extra moisture leaving a possibility for mold to grow.

Humidity is another leading factor in growing mold. The ideal humidity of a home is between 30 and 50 percent. It is easy to measure humidity with an inexpensive moisture or humidity meter. You can find one of these meters at your local hardware store


If building or remodeling protect your work from mold by using a coating surface that will help prevent mold from growing. This protection can also be found in drywall and gypsum board products that are on the market and are perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.

For flooded areas the CDC recommends removing all carpet, upholstery, drywall and ceiling tiles within 48 hours if this can not be done or if the area is larger than 10 square feet the EPA recommends hiring a qualified mold remediation specialist to help with removal

Keep your nose open as the first sign of mold is a musty or moldy odor. Do not sniff the mold or touch mold but if you suspect mold is present call in a professional.


Check the exterior of your home for ground water on a regular basis. This will help keep water from building up which can cause mold. Water can be routed away from the house by using a downspout or re-grade to slope water away from the home.