Preventing Moisture and Mold in Your Home

Mold and mildew are common in the Pacific Northwest. Although most varieties do not pose a risk to your health, they can bring risk to your home. 

Mold is a result of excess moisture, which is why we are diligent about moisture control in our climate. We inspect our units annually to check for leaks and buildup, but we ask that our residents help us out in between. 

Most of the black colored mold that you find is likely to be common mildew, and can be cleaned up without much difficulty. A common source of mold and mildew is condensation. This happens when the outside is cold and the inside is warm, which is why we see more growth in the winter. 

If conditions are right, water drops will form on the wall or window that is next to the cold air. If the water isn’t cleaned up, mold or mildew can grow on the wall, the window, or anything that encounters the wall or window, like a shower curtain.

Mold and mildew love to grow in dark, damp environments which is why it is often found in bathrooms. Water can intrude into your home through the outside – because of a leaking roof, pipes, or other structural problems. Water can also build up from the inside, because of steam from showers, heat from cooking, and other normal activities.

Properly ventilating your home is the key ingredient to preventing mold and moisture. 

We recommend opening curtains to allow sunlight in, wiping down surfaces where condensation occurs, running the bathroom exhaust fan for at least 30 minutes after bathing, and keeping items from touching the walls. All of this will reduce the moisture in the air and help prevent the growth of mold and mildew.

As a responsible landlord, we at D&A, Inc. are required to make any repairs necessary to stop the growth of mold in your home. A resident also has certain responsibilities to communicate when mold or mildew appears anywhere in the rental as soon as its found.

We ask all our residents to be mindful of these 3 steps if you see mold in your home: Report, Respond, Prevent.

1. Report

The first step in responding to the mold problem is to report it to your landlord in writing as soon as you notice it. That way, there’s a record of the issue. At Duerksen and Associates, that can be done through a maintenance request form in your resident portal.

2. Respond

The second step is to clean up the mold. When you clean it, wear dishwashing gloves and cover your nose and mouth. Mold spores travel effortlessly in the air and you want to avoid breathing them. Apply detergent, not bleach, to the affected area and deeply scrub. Then, spray white vinegar on the cleaned area. The pH level in vinegar makes it difficult for the mold to grow back.

3. Prevent

Once you’ve cleaned up the mold or mildew, take these steps to help prevent a future buildup:

• Keep your home ventilated. Crack a window once a day. 
• Run the exhaust fan when you take a shower and for at least 30 minutes after. 
• Open your curtains during the daylight hours to bring in sunlight.
• Keep your home heated at a minimum of 60 degrees all year long.
• Place all furniture at least 2 inches away from the wall.
• Wipe along the bottom edge of every window at least once a week in the winter to remove condensation.

As property managers, It is our priority that our rentals are in good living condition and that our residents remain safe within them. We appreciate your partnership as a resident combating mold and mildew in your home.