A rarely sealed area like your garage is no exception from mold growth. Apart from removal, you’ll want to know the tips on how to prevent mold in garage as well so you’ll save your wooden wall and other wood items from rotting.
Molds always love dwelling in damp and airflow-deficient areas and surfaces. They can grow uncontrollably if left unnoticed or unattended.
Your garage, which has somewhat the same environment as your home’s storage room, cannot escape molds and mildews. You don’t want to make your garage a house of molds, so you’ll need to do some easy ways to help prevent it.
We’ll cover top helpful tips on preventing molds from growing in your garage, plus a straightforward mold removal guide to aid you with your mold remediation issues. Before walking you down through the mold prevention instructions, let us know more about why molds grow in your garage.
3 Reasons Why Molds Would Love Your Garage
First off, how well do you know molds? Three things are inherently associated with the term “molds,” and these are:
Humidity
When molds start to grow in your garage, it indicates that a high humidity level is present in the area. This is no surprise for a room that is especially warm and rarely receives a good amount of airflow.
Ventilation
Molds grow fine in poorly ventilated areas. Reception of little to no sunlight can make your garage a food for mold-causing microorganisms.
If you have not lit your garage with natural lighting such as sunbeams, mold spores in the air will start to multiply as they come in contact with moisture.
Moisture
A home garage with gaps through its doors, windows, or roofing is susceptible to moisture accumulation. Apart from the holes, water leakage can also be the source of excessive dampness inside your garage.
As water combines with the airborne mold bacteria, the mold development becomes uncontrollable.
5 Helpful Tips To Prevent Molds In Garage
With relevant knowledge of how molds can grow in your garage, you are now ready to find out how to prevent this mold issue.
1. Fix any water leaks
If you suspect a water leakage, immediately find water leak sources such as pipes behind walls, roof, floor, and trenches. Fix any damages to prevent further water damage.
While you’re at it, check any pooling water inside the garage. Outside rainwater, snow-covered car tires, or car-washing can be the source of standing water.
Clean them with a mop or squeegee, and completely dry the area.
2. Control humidity level
Installing a dehumidifier is a must to keep the room’s humidity under control. This device can help you keep track of the humidity level, which must be 50% and below, to avoid triggering mold growth.
Also, keep your windows open for a few hours a day to allow proper air circulation inside the room and let the sunlight naturally ventilate the area.
3. Install mold-resistant walls
It’s not a bad thing to spend a few amounts on replacing your walls. Choosing mold-resistant drywall is one of the best steps to prevent hefty mold growth caused by water damage.
If you’re buying a new one or just starting to build a garage, here’s an article on what is the best mold-resistant drywall to help you decide.
4. Place good drainage
To avoid water from pooling in flat surfaces, you’ll need to have proper sewer inside your garage. It is also helpful if your floor has the appropriate slope to quickly avert water away from the garage’s surface.
5. Keep plants away from the room
Unlike plants’ role in reducing mold growth around home windows, plants growing inside and around the garage may not be a good thing. Cut down any growing shrubs near the garage.
A shrub that has grown close to your garage may cause cracks, which may result in water leaks and intrusion. Plants can also gather moisture, which may add up to the room’s humidity level, especially inside walls.
Simple Ways To Get Rid Of Mold On Your Garage
If you discover mold growth in your garage, there are simple ways to remove molds from specific areas. However, if you’re uncertain of the mold treatment, you can always rely on professional mold inspection, and here’s an informative article on how to get a free mold inspection.
First, spray warm water on the affected area to avoid spores from spreading. Then, pour a bleach-water solution or any commercial cleaner.
You can also add hydrogen peroxide as an option for a mold-removal agent. Let the cleaner sit, and then use a brush with firm bristles to scrub the area.
Rinse the area with water and redo the process if necessary. Finally, ensure to dry the room after eradicating molds.
Important reminder: Use protective garments when tackling molds as the molds themselves and some cleaners may harm your health.
Conclusion
If you know how to prevent mold in garage, you can save a lot of time cleaning and doing necessary replacements. However, you can always leave the work to the expert’s hands if you want guaranteed safe mold remediation.