It’s that time of the year again! Yep, time for school to begin and the crisp autumn temperatures to come rolling in. But before you pack up the summer gear for the season, take a few minutes to scroll through our top five tips for preventing mold in your garage!
Use a Dehumidifier: The easiest way to prevent mold from making itself at home in your garage is to use a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier can eliminate any extra moisture in the air which helps keep mold from growing on your ceiling and behind stored items. Choose a dehumidifier based on the square footage of your garage and keep it running at all times with the level of humidity at 30 to 50 percent. Just be sure to empty its canister regularly so it does its job!
Keep Stored Items Dry: Summer is the season for all things fun in the water, but storing wet items in your garage creates a fuel for mold like none other. Mold loves moisture! So, as you pack away your summer toys and as you move into the snowy winter months, constantly remind yourself to never store wet toys, clothes, jackets, or shoes in the garage, unless of course you want a mold colony as a houseguest that is.
Let in Fresh Air and Sunshine: Make the most of the rest of the summer daylight hours by opening your garage for a bit of fresh air and sunshine. Such a simple task that may offer big benefits as fresh air circulation and sunlight can help prevent mildew growth. You can even toss in the use of a fan to really get the air circulating!
Check Your Garage Seal: Here in the Indiana and Illinois areas we tend to have long damp seasons and high humidity. Often times the weather-stripping of our garage doors doesn’t rest tightly against the garage frame, letting environmental moisture seep inside the garage from outside.
Utilize Chemicals: Chemicals such as activated alumina, silica gel, and molecular sieves can be placed close to garage ceilings on shelving. Such chemicals absorb moisture closest to the drywall, allowing you to keep the garage a bit more humid for comfort during our chilly winter months.
One last but very important step you can take to prevent mold growth in your garage is to schedule periodic inspections. Prevention is better than remediation any day! Call in a certified mold professional, such as those available at Guardian Mold Prevent, to give your garage a once over for a mold inspection. Contact us today by dialing 866.681.6653.