Mold in Atlanta
Mold spores are everywhere. They are in the air flying all around us. They are perfectly harmless when in small numbers. They become a real problem however, when they are allowed to grow within our homes. Mold in Atlanta in large amounts can negatively affect our health. When allowed to grow in our homes, they can cause a great deal of damage to our personal belongings as well as the structure of our homes.
Factors Contributing to the Growth of Winter Mold in Atlanta
It may seem like mold in Atlanta grows more rapidly during the cold winter months. This is only because the conditions in winter are ideal for the growth of mold. Many of us tend to close ourselves into our homes when the temperature starts to drop. As a result of all the requirements for energy efficiency, our homes are tightly sealed during winter. This can result in trapping of indoors and the rise of humidity levels.
- Warm conditions resulting from the turning up of our thermostats in winter make the indoor home environment perfect for the growth and proliferation of mold.
- Decaying matter around the home resulting from fallen leaves and dead plants result in the release of mold spores into the air. These are spread and settle indoors where they grow.
- Increased humidity as a result of the wet winter conditions provides ideal conditions for the growth of mold.
9 Tips to Prevent the Growth of Winter Mold in Atlanta
1. Keep the surfaces in your home clean and dry.
Don’t give mold spores the chance to settle and grow.
2. Ensure that there is adequate circulation of air.
Open a window when cooking, washing dishes or taking a shower. You can use an exhaust fan if you have one. This will prevent condensation from building up in the home and therefore keep humidity levels low.
3. Ensure that leaky plumbing is fixed in good time.
Ensure that you get a plumber to inspect any leaky pipes or drains. This will ensure that water is not leaking within the home and therefore keep moisture levels down.
4. If you have a crawl space, ensure that you spread a moisture barrier over the soil.
This can take the form of a plastic film or roofing paper made of polyethylene. This barrier will prevent moisture from the crawl space rising and penetrating the floor. This moisture can result in the rise of indoor humidity levels and encourage the growth of mold.
5. Insulate pipes to protect them from the low temperatures during winter.
This will prevent the pipes from freezing and bursting or cracking during winter.
6. Wipe away condensation when you notice it on walls, pipes or windows inside your home.
Ensure that the area is dry and that the humidity is not being caused by a leak or high humidity settings. Open a window to allow air to circulate.
7. Use a dehumidifier.
This can help to reduce the humidity of a room and prevent the growth of moisture.
8. Set the ceiling fan to rotate in reverse.
This will push the warm dry air down to the lower parts of the room. It will not only help you save money in heating bills but will prevent condensation from occurring.
9. Pour out water in condensate pans and ensure that you clean and dry them before replacing them.
This will ensure that the water is not left to stand in the pans.
Ensure that you have a professional contractor check your home for waterproofing. This will ensure that you take all measures necessary to prevent the growth of winter mold in Atlanta in your home. A professional contractor can also advise you on further measures to take to keep your home mold free.
John Fahmy, President of Everdry of North Georgia / Atlanta region started at Everdry’s corporate headquarters (Ohio State Waterproofing) in 1991 as a part time customer service rep.
While working part time, John pursued his Bachelors degree in Marketing and Business Management at Cleveland State University. It was John’s mission to become the best in this industry after seeing his grandparents get scammed by a fly by night waterproofing contractor, and lose lots of money, that was not there anymore when they needed service. After only one year, John was promoted to Customer Service Manager.
After a total of 8 years in the Customer Service Department, John branched out, holding his Customer Service Manager position, while taking on new responsibilities as Assistant Marketing Director and becoming an EZ Breathe Sales rep.
In 2003, John was named Director of Shows, a job that gave him the opportunity to work directly with all of the national Everdry franchise locations nationwide, providing each office with support for their marketing efforts at trade shows.
In 2004, after 13 years with the company, John and his wife Connie took on a new challenge and took over the North Georgia / Atlanta Everdry franchise. Our goal is to provide a healthy and safe living environment in homes for the families in the North Georgia / Atlanta region.
