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4 Tips to Prevent Mold -- Turn on Your Air Conditioner is #1

Posted by: Dale Blasingame on Jun 20, 2013

So happy to have a guest blogger for your education and enjoyment!  Dale Blasingame is the social media manager for Champion AC, an air conditioning and heating company based in San Antonio, Texas. Let's give Dale a warm welcome!

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Here in Texas, we don’t see rain all that often. But you know that old cliche, “When it rains, it pours?” That perfectly describes our weather patterns. Just last week, some parts of south Texas saw 20 inches of rain in 48 hours! When you combine the summer heat, humidity and precipitation, your home and office are at a higher risk for developing mold and mildew.

But whether you live in Texas or Virginia, receive 20 inches of rain in two days or 20 inches in a year, there are steps you can take to prevent a full fungus invasion. If the health concerns surrounding mold don’t kick you into high gear, at the very least, that awful smell should.

Four tips for preventing mold from developing in your home and office.

  1. Run Your AC. Mold thrives in damp, humid spaces. A little known fact about air conditioners is that they were designed to dehumidify rooms. (The first one was installed in a printing plant to keep paper straight and help ink dry.) So, while those showers may bring cool breezes, don’t let them entice you into leaving your windows open. This allows the humidity (and opportunity for leaks) to skyrocket.

  2. Identify and Stop Leaks. If you’re already aware of leaks in your home or office, the summer rainy season should be good motivation to get them taken care of. Letting water seep into your ceilings, walls and floors can cause serious problems. Trust us on this - you’d much rather pay to fix a leak than to repair extensive water damage.

  3. Airflow and Ventilation. Mold loves stale air. By making sure that all of the corners and crevices in your home or office have proper airflow and ventilation, you can prevent its growth. You can do this by leaving space between bigger furniture, exterior walls and running the exhaust fans in your kitchen, bathrooms and laundry rooms.

  4. Care for your Carpeting. If your home or office is mostly carpeted, take care to avoid moisture from soggy shoes and pets. Once damaged by water, carpeting must be cleaned and thoroughly dried in 24-48 hours. After that time, replacement is your best option to avoid mold growth.

Mold doesn’t discriminate. It can exacerbate allergies at work, contribute to Sick Building Syndrome and even lead to lung infections. During these hot, damp days, it is especially important to be aware of the risks and how to prevent mold growth in your home or business.

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Tags: HVAC Industry, Air Conditioning