Do Fans Help Prevent Mold? What to Know
The last thing you want in your home is mold. It is repulsive to look at and causes a musty odor. It eats away at your walls and furniture. Worst of all, it can trigger allergies and cause other health issues.
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As a homeowner, you want to do everything possible to prevent mold. Luckily, our mold remediation specialists know plenty of things you can do to keep your home clean.
One of the simplest things you can do is use fans in your home! This post will cover how fans improve airflow and prevent mold growth.
Does Your Fan Help Prevent Mold?
Fans indeed reduce a room’s moisture levels by improving air circulation. Mold needs moisture to thrive. So, using a fan makes it harder for fungus to grow in your home.
However, you must realize that they are not the perfect solution. They are not powerful enough to dry out very damp areas and won’t do much good if your mold problem is severe.
If mold continually grows in your home, you may need a more aggressive approach. Contact All Dry USA for professional remediation services!
Why Running Your Fan Can Help Prevent Mold Growth
Wondering how something this simple can help prevent mold growth? Let’s take a closer look at what exactly mold is.
Mold is a fungus found both indoors and outdoors. Spores are always present in your home, but you don’t notice them unless they grow.
Spores will grow when they find a warm, damp environment. This is why you commonly see mold under a kitchen sink, bathroom, etc.
So, to prevent mold growth, you need to reduce areas in your home that are warm and damp. You can do this by improving air circulation.
Of course, turning on fans is one of the best ways to improve air circulation. Fans promote airflow and help reduce excess moisture. They reduce a room’s overall humidity, making it much harder for spores to grow. They keep mold at bay, wicking excess moisture away from your walls and furniture.
Tips On How To Run Your Fan Effectively To Prevent Mold
Here are some tips for running your fan effectively to prevent mold:
Use Fans in High-Risk Rooms
High-risk rooms are commonly warm and damp. So, be sure to use a fan in the following spaces to limit the potential of spore growth:
Bathrooms
Bathrooms are notorious for having a high moisture content. This is especially true after you take a hot shower. The steam produced hangs in the air and clings to mirrors, counters, and other surfaces.
After a hot shower, leave the exhaust fan for half an hour. This will draw moisture outside and bring in fresh air. You can further reduce moisture by wiping condensation off mirrors and door handles.
Read more: Preventing mold in closet on clothes
Kitchens
Your kitchen is also susceptible to high moisture content. The room becomes humid due to the steam from cooking, creating the perfect conditions for mold. Mold is also likely to grow here due to oils, dust, smoke, etc.
When cooking, run your ceiling fans, which will dry out your kitchen. You might also want to consider exhaust fans. These will not only draw out moisture but also oils and other substances.
Attics
Moisture tends to accumulate in your attic. So, you should ensure the room is well-ventilated. You can use a whole-house fan and install ceiling fans in the attic.
Exhaust fans throughout your house should always vent outside. They should never vent air into your attic. Even if your attic is ventilated, this will inevitably lead to mold growth.
Basements
As they tend to be dark and damp, basements are a mold’s paradise. This is especially true if they have no ventilation system or windows.
You should install ceiling fans in your basement. Most homeowners have to leave them on continuously to prevent mold growth.
Read more: How to test for mold in your basement
Improve Airflow in Other Ways
Fans won’t do you much good if your home has poor airflow. Improve your home’s airflow by:
- Leaving a gap between your furniture and your walls
- Ensuring your A/C system is working properly
- Cleaning ducts and vents
- Investing in a dehumidifier (this will draw out moisture that your fans and A/C system can’t get by themselves)
Use Fans in the Summer
Fans can help control moisture all year long. However, you should make a point of using them in the summer. In the summer, most areas are prone to high humidity, which can lead to serious mold problems.
Conclusion
Turning on your fans is a great way to prevent fungal growth. It improves airflow and wicks away moisture that the fungus thrives on.
However, a fan might not be the answer if mold is continuously popping up around your home. You may need the help of a professional remediation company. Experts will be able to not only remove the mold but keep it from coming back.
Our team is eager to help you get your home back to normal. Call All Dry USA today! We’ll be out to fix your mold issue ASAP.
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With Ben’s knowledge, and visionary leadership, All Dry USA has expanded into a national, full-service property damage restoration company with multiple locations across the United States. Ben holds numerous specialty licenses and certifications in restoration and construction.