Mold can flourish anywhere if conditions are right. It can be easy for the detrimental fungi to grow in beach homes, since humidity levels are often high in coastal areas. If you own a beach house and want to ensure it remains fungi-free, review what your Los Angeles mold inspectors recommend.
Check Those Gutters
If your beach house is a stand-alone residence, you must keep up with gutter maintenance. Gutters clog with leaves, twigs, animal nests, blown trash, seeds, and other debris interferes with efficient rainwater flow. Water can overflow and pool around your beach house’s foundation or back up under roof shingles, both of which allow mold to multiply. Clean your gutters at least twice annually to avoid water damage and mold growth. If you only visit your beach house a few times a year, schedule professional gutter maintenance to keep rainwater flowing away from the building.
Set the Air Conditioning System Before You Vacate
Should you be unable to stay at your shore house for a lengthy period of time and you are not renting it out, pre-set the air conditioner before you leave. The a/c unit should be set between 78 and 80 degrees to prevent mold. If it is higher, the appliance will be unable to fight mold growth. You’ll also want to clean or change the filter before exiting, since a dirty filter cannot trap mold spores, dust, and other contaminants effectively.
Consider Installing a Humidistat
A humidistat automatically overrides your thermostat and turns on the air conditioner if the humidity level reaches 60%. As a general rule, the humidity level should be between 30% and 50%, since 60% or above allows mold to reproduce. Investing in a humidistat is strongly recommended if you don’t visit your beach house often when humidity is the highest, i.e. the late spring, summer, and even early fall.
It also helps to inspect all water-using appliances for leaks before leaving your beach house for the season! If you need mold removal in Orange County despite your best efforts, contact the experts at Mold Masters today!