Preventing Mold in Your Brooklyn Home

The growth of unhealthy mold is something our Brooklyn neighbors want to prevent in their homes. A spot or two growing here and there may not seem like much, but it can be a sign of larger problems that can threaten the health of you and your family.

Mold issues

According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, mold can pose health hazards:

For those people who are affected by mold exposures there can be a wide variation in how they react. People at greatest risk of health effects are individuals with allergies, asthma, sinusitis, or other respiratory conditions, as well as infants and children, elderly people, and pregnant women. In addition, individuals with a weakened immune system are at risk.

Protecting Your Basement

Excessive moisture in the basement can lead to the growth of unhealthy mold and mildew. A dehumidifier can remove moisture from the air, making it harder for mold to establish a foothold.

If you have a problem with water flowing into the basement from rain, leaks, or flooding, consider getting a basement sump or ejector pump installed. The pumps collect excess water, pushing it outside of the house.

If a Pipe Bursts

If a pipe inside your Brooklyn home bursts and leaks, you have to respond quickly to not give mold a chance to develop. Once the leak has been stopped, you need to remove any standing water with a wet-dry vacuum and dry out the area. You can use a dehumidifier and fans to circulate air to speed up the drying process. Be sure to remove wet or damaged items from the affected area.

Don’t Forget the HVAC

Mold isn’t just an issue inside the home. If not properly maintained, HVAC systems can harbor mold, blowing unhealthy spores into the house. A professional tune-up can make sure that mold isn’t developing in pockets of moisture around the coils. You can also add an ultraviolet lamp to the system to sanitize and prevent mold and bacteria from growing.

At Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning, our experts can help you solve the moisture problems that lead to mold growth in your home. We can help in a plumbing emergency or tune-up your HVAC system. Call us today at (718) 748-1254.