Mold grows in dark and damp environments, so a garage seems like the perfect place for it to thrive. This can be a big problem for homeowners as mold not only defaces your living space but can also be dangerous if left to get out of hand. It’s not only bad for your health, but it can also lead you to need garage door repairs or even have to replace it! While there are ways to remove the mold yourself, sometimes it’s better to call a professional. Here are a few tips and tricks you can use to try to eliminate mold growth in your garage by yourself.
Why does mold grow in the garage?
It’s typical to find mold growing in the garage as opposed to your home’s interior. This is because the environment allows the plant to thrive and can easily go undetected. Mold needs three things to survive: water, food source, and oxygen. As long as these criteria are met in your garage, you will likely find mold. Some of the factors that will encourage mold growth in your garage include:
-Leaks in your plumbing system or appliances
-Poor ventilation allows the humidity to remain high
-Carpeting surfaces and other materials that keep moisture close to your home’s exterior garage walls
-Paper and cardboard in the garage is food for mold
-A combination of summer heat and humid weather can allow mold growth
How do I get rid of the mold in my garage?
Getting rid of the problem is easier than you might think. You’ll want to follow the steps below to reduce plant growth permanently:
-Inspect every corner of your garage to find out where the mold is growing. You may have more than one source of mold growth.
-Spray the mold with a mixture of distilled white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide and use a sponge to scrub the mold off the surface thoroughly.
-Mix up a solution of one part bleach to ten parts warm water, and again use the sponge with this mixture to scrub any remaining traces off your garage door walls. Bleach is an effective way to make your garage mold-free as it kills 99% of most types of mold.
-Once you finish scrubbing, rinse the areas with clean water and then dry with a towel or cloth.
-Use the vinegar solution to wipe down your garage doors, as well as the tracks.
-It’s important that you practice good hygiene, such as wearing gloves, goggles, and perhaps even an air mask when mixing bleach solutions. There is a danger of ingesting it through accidental contact with your mouth or eyes.
-Once you’ve finished, be sure to open windows for proper ventilation and leave your garage door cranked up so it can dry out thoroughly.
How can I prevent mold in my garage?
Prevention is the best way to ensure mold doesn’t develop in your garage. Try out these tips for making sure it doesn’t:
Regulate the humidity in your garage
Mold tends to thrive in humid environs, so it’s important to keep your garage as humid-free as possible by regulating its humidity. The ideal humidity level should be below 60%. One way you can do this is by using a dehumidifier, which will suck up any excess moisture in the air and prevent mold growth.
Keep debris away
Mold needs food sources for growth, such as paper or cardboard, so keep these materials away from your garage. Allowing these to pile up in your garage will only give mold the fuel it needs to flourish.
Ventilate properly
Mold can grow in the dark, damp parts of a room, which is why it’s important to make sure you have proper ventilation for any chemicals or fuels stored inside. Open up windows and use fans whenever possible, as this will help reduce humidity levels while bringing fresh air into the garage.
Seal garage doors
Open up your garage door to ensure proper ventilation, but you will want to seal it off when not in use. This can be achieved by installing weather stripping, which seals any cracks and crevices around the frame.
Keep your garage organized
Keep surfaces clean through regular washing with soap and water; this helps prevent dirt from becoming mold food sources. Also, be sure to organize any garage storage items in your garage so that there is no opportunity for black mold to grow.
Is mold in the garage dangerous for your health?
Yes, mold can be extremely dangerous for your health. While it doesn’t pose an immediate threat to humans, bad mold has been known to trigger allergies and asthmas attacks, leading to serious complications if not treated promptly. Beyond this, there are also risks associated with breathing in mold spores, leading to several respiratory problems or other infections.
When should I hire a mold removal company?
If the mold infestation is too severe that it has spread throughout your garage, you might want to leave it for the professionals. Luckily, some services actually specialize in mold removal and can provide you with the right tools to remove mold. You can check for mold removal companies in your area online.
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