Facts for dealing with Mold when it gets cold

11/11/2019 (Permalink)

Winter is approaching.... SERVPRO of Burlington Township/Mt. Holly is here with some tips and helpful hints on keeping mold away during the cold winter months. 

1. Make sure there is good air circulation. Use an exhaust fan or open a window when showering, cooking, and washing the dishes.

2. Prevent mold and water damage by turning off the water flow to broken appliances and pipes.

3. Replace cracked or defective mortar in basements. If you find your basement is wet or has water leaking into it, inspect the outside drainage systems.

4. Spread moisture-barrier materials in crawl spaces over the soil. Heavy roofing paper or plastic film made of polyethylene can be used for this. Make sure there is good ventilation in the crawl space and, if possible, do not enclose it. One may need to use a fan to blow out humid air from under the building.

5. One can get rid of humidity or dampness within a building by heating it for a short time. After heating, open up the doors and windows, or use an exhaust fan, to let out the air that is moist.

6. Hire a professional roofing contractor to cover a damaged roof with a tarp or tent. This will help protect the building from the elements.

7. If there are freezing temperatures, take measures to insulate pipes inside and out to ensure they will not crack and/or burst.

8. Make sure all the seals on the windows and doors are not compromised and in good-working condition.

9. Clean and repair roof gutters regularly.

10. Make sure the ground around your building slopes away from the foundation so water does not collect around or enter in to it.

11. Act quickly if you see condensation on windows, pipes, or walls inside a building. Dry out the area and determine if the source of the condensation is from a leak or the result of high humidity.