THOMAS: Tips to prevent mold growth in your home

We have had our share of rain here in Middle Georgia and while houses weren't drastically damaged like those in South Carolina, an overabundance of moisture can cause a sneaky and dangerous aftereffect: mold.

Mold in your home can be a serious health hazard. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some molds can produce materials that can cause allergic reactions, asthma attacks or other health effects.

While mold naturally occurs in our environment and we will never eliminate it completely, excess mold growth in homes and on materials threatens our health and the health of those we love. The heavy rains, warm temperatures and high humidity in the past few months are optimal conditions for mold growth.

There is a common saying in housing circles, "Mold is the symptom, moisture is the problem."

Mold either needs liquid water or high humidity. Liquid water can come from condensation on windowsills and in bathrooms, or from leaks -- either internal or external.

Mold is a living thing and requires oxygen, a warm temperature and a food source. This includes many materials found in our homes, such as wood, paper, textiles and building materials. Therefore, there is always a potential food source for molds.

Mold growth can begin very quickly and some species of mold can grow in only a few hours.

Here are some tips to reduce food sources of mold and moisture in your home and thus reduce the likelihood and amount of mold that may grow inside your home:

Run ventilation fans in bathrooms and kitchens to help exhaust excess humidity from cooking and bathing.

Seal air leaks, weatherize before insulating and use vapor retarder in crawlspaces to prohibit moisture from entering your home.

Do not keep books, papers or cardboard boxes in moist areas such as attics, garages, basements or crawlspaces.

Remove at least one-third of the contents of your closets to provide increased airflow and reduce the risk of mold. Install a louvered door on closets or keep closet doors open.

Vent your clothes dryer to the outside.

Allow space for air circulation between furnishings and window treatments on exterior walls.

Clear gutters; make sure downspouts are in good repair and are directed away from the house; make sure all property drains are clear and flowing freely.

Check all door and window frame caulking for cracks and gaps to prevent water from intruding.

Check the grading of the soil around the foundation of your house. It should have a gradual slope away from the foundation.

Monitor interior humidity. Small portable humidity monitors are inexpensive and can be placed around your home. If RH (Relative Humidity) is consistently above 65 percent, action should be taken. Ideally, RH should be between 45 percent and 55 percent.

Trust your nose -- that musty smell is a sure indication of active mold growth.

By preventing the moisture problems that can cause mold in your home and eliminating possible food sources, you are providing a safe environment for your family, one that's free of mold and its health-related problems.

Contact county Extension agent Keishon J. Thomas by calling 478-751-6338 or emailling thomaskj@uga.edu.

This story was originally published November 1, 2015 at 10:47 PM with the headline "THOMAS: Tips to prevent mold growth in your home ."