Maintenance Monday: Mold edition!

So, you’ve found some mold growing in your home and you head to the laundry room to grab the bleach to get rid of it. But are you really getting rid of it?  Most likely, no–-unless the mold growth is on a non-porous surface.  Although bleach can kill mold on non-porous surfaces, it isn’t effective on absorbent or porous materials — you know, the places it loves to lurk, like grout, caulk, drywall, insulation, and carpet, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Instead, it just bleaches it so you can’t see it. And diluted bleach can feed future mold growth because only the water will be absorbed, which mold just loves.

A better approach for getting rid of mold is to use a commercial anti-fungal product to take out mold at its roots. And only tackle mold removal yourself if the area is less than 10 square feet and you use protective gear, such as a respirator and chemical-resistant gloves. Otherwise, call in a professional mold remediation specialist who knows how to remove it without spreading it’s spores. 

Maintenance Monday Tip: Check Your Gutters!

As we transition from Winter to Spring it's the perfect time of year to check for loose or leaky gutters. Improper drainage can lead to water in the basement or crawl space of your home. Make sure downspouts drain away from the foundation and are clear and free of debris! 

Maintenance Monday: Emergency Kit

Do you have a disaster supply kit in your home in case of an emergency?  The truth is, we can never predict when an emergency or natural disaster will occur, so we need to be prepared with food, water, and basic supplies! There are kits you can buy pre-made by the Red Cross, or  if you'd like more information, on building your own kit check out this article by Ready.gov.

Here is a basic supply checklist from FEMA, that you can download and print for free as you build your kit!