Mold / Mildew mitigation concerns & contractors

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Mold / Mildew mitigation, treatment, concerns & contractors

Beware of salesmanship regarding mold. Mold has been around since the beginning of time and did not turn deadly all of a sudden in the past few years. You will probably never be exposed to levels of mold that are dangerous; however, to some individuals mold can be a health concern. If you get sick staying at motels then you might be sensitive to mold and may need to take more precautions. Killing surface mold is easy using a 50/50 Household Bleach / Water mix in a spray bottle but do not use on clothes or let it drip on carpet.

DO NOT pile up laundry. Piles of laundry create mildew which can lead to mold. Showers create lots of dampness which is required to create mold. Leave bathroom doors open for ventilation when not in use. Lots of cooking can create elevated levels of moisture in the home also leading to an increased likelihood of mold. Excess occupancy can also contribute to mold. Every person exhales warm damp air. The more people, the more breathing, bathing & cooking. There should never be more than 2 people per bedroom per housing unit, this is also enforceable by Jefferson Parish Ordinance.

Air out your home once in a while by opening the windows when there is a fresh breeze to carry off the built up dampness. High efficiency windows and newer sealed tight construction can also reduce ventilation. Dampness is more likely during times of not needing air conditioning. Air conditioning normally removes excess dampness although the newer high efficiency units are not quite as good at it as the older units. Never set the thermostat where the fan always runs. The unit's blower must turn off after cool down else the unit will put the humidity removed right back in the living spaces.

The bottom line: Mold loves to grow in damp, dark areas; warmth will accelerate the problem.