No one likes a moldy home, especially if the mold has been secretly growing for months without you realizing it. Mold can grow pretty much anywhere—poorly built ceilings, wet floors, old doors, faulty window casements and windowsills—and is notorious for continuing to grow back if not properly removed. What a headache!
So what you can do? First things first, think moisture control. Monitoring moisture in your home to maintain healthy vapor levels and mold-free home windows is the best preventative measure to ensure an allergen- and toxin-free environment—AND save you time and money by avoiding a costly repair job. Below are five steps to take to help you monitor moisture:
If It’s Wet, Dry It Up!
Condensation is one of the quickest ways for mold to spread throughout your home, and is most often found along glass doors and windows when moisture levels are up. If you notice dampness in these areas, check to see where the problem is originating from and repair before mold begins to form. Remember, mold can’t grow without moisture, so keep these surfaces dry and clean.
Ventilate, Already!
When opening windows and using exhaust fans to move moisture outside the house while cooking, washing dishes and clothes, or cleaning, make sure the fans have been left on long enough to capture all the vapor in the air so that it doesn’t settle on your window and door surfaces. Over time, mold can damage the interior of your home and warp your windows and doors, making them hard to open or close, and make an environment for mold-free home windows next to impossible. And double check that appliances emitting moisture (washers and dryers, stove and oven fans etc.) vent outside of your home, not into attics or basements or heaven forbid, your bedroom.
Circulate That Air!
An important part of moisture control is making sure regular, temperature-controlled airflow circulates throughout your house, especially when away for long periods of time. To improve airflow, open doors between rooms and even closets. Fresh air is the best remedy in these mold-friendly environments. And be sure that crawl spaces are also able to circulate air by installing fans and vents that open to the outside.
Check Humidity!
You know how it goes. When your air conditioner is cranking, you feel immediate comfort, but in the long run you’re doing your home and your health a disservice by running such a costly device. To keep utility expenses down and reduce energy consumption, consider using ceiling fans and letting your home cool itself naturally (surprisingly enough, warm air can actually hold more moisture.) But if hot air keeps filtering in through your windows and doors and cool air keeps escaping, it will be difficult to maintain that ideal 30-60 percent humidity, and may signal that your windows are on their way out. Thankfully, Renewal by Andersen’s energy efficient windows and doors can actually reduce Sacramento homeowner energy bills and lower the costs of living comfortably.
Call a Pro for Mold-Free Home Windows!
If you’re looking to maintain a mold-free home, but are still experiencing leaking, rotting or condensation around your windows, it may be time for home window replacement. To speak with a Renewal by Andersen window expert, simply schedule a free, in-home consultation to discuss why your current windows and doors continue to wreak havoc on your home and health. Chances are, faulty windows or poor installation could be the culprit. But whatever the issue, we stand by each and every one of our Fibrex® window and door products as the best possible solution for home window replacement.
