Guest guest Posted October 10, 2005 Report Share Posted October 10, 2005 Posted on Sun, Oct. 09, 2005 http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/living/home/12844383.htm AVOIDING MOLD • When you have a water leak or spill, act quickly to fix and dry it. • Keep air conditioning drip pans clean and drain lines unobstructed and flowing. • Keep ducts free from dirt and spores and check and repair any leaks in ducts on a regular basis. • Invest in a good air conditioner filter, which is essential for keeping air handling ducts clean. C. May recommends a one- or two-inch pleated media filter with a MERV efficiency rating of at least 6. (MERV is the newest filter rating system and it stands for minimum efficiency reporting value.) • Have preseason maintenance done on air conditioning. • Keep indoor humidity low, if possible between 30 to 50 percent. • Clean and repair roof gutters regularly. • Make sure the ground slopes away from a building's foundation so water doesn't collect around it. Keep flower beds away from exterior walls. • Run the bathroom fan or open the window when showering. • Use exhaust fans or open windows whenever cooking, running the dishwasher or dishwashing. • Vent appliances that produce moisture -- for example, stoves or clothes dryers -- to the outside. • If you're worried about a mold problem, use a flashlight to inspect potential problems. Open up bathroom vanities and kitchen cabinets and shine the flashlight toward the back. Look under sinks, in laundry rooms, closets -- anywhere you might notice a musty smell. • Add mold inhibitors to paints before application. • Prevent lawn sprinklers from soaking exterior walls. Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ``The Mold Survival Guide for your Home and for Your Health'' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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