Whether it’s because of faulty plumbing installation or has come about due to pipe damage, undesired, excess moisture is the bane of many homeowners’ existence. Did you know that excess moisture is a main catalyst for mold and mildew formation? How do you keep these common types of toxic home infestation away? Here are some tips from your local plumber in Grand Rapids, MN.
Get a jump on moisture issues
While some plumbing leaks are easy enough to track down, others are not. Leaks from plumbing fixtures—like sinks, the toilet or a malfunctioning water heater—and water stains located on your ceiling or walls should be found and stopped as soon as possible. Basement inspections should include looking for accumulated moisture in concrete walls and slabs, as well as cracks or seams where mold can begin forming.
Keep your eyes open after a pipe burst
If you have experienced a recent pipe burst or other damage to your home’s plumbing system that caused water to leak out into your home, you need to be vigilant for a little while to avoid mold and mildew growth.
There are a couple scenarios in which you may find yourself dealing with mold or mildew, despite your best intentions. First, even though a plumber in Grand Rapids, MN may have fixed the problem and you thought you cleaned up all the remaining moisture, some water may have gotten trapped in the carpet or under furniture, or seeped through cracks in the floorboards. Second, pipes can break again shortly after a repair. Should this be the case, call the plumber back immediately.
Soak up splashed tub water
Kids splash and kick up water during bath time. (Hey, you remember how fun bath time with toys can be, right?) Or maybe you wash your dogs in the bathtub, followed by several rounds of doggy shakes as they try to dry themselves. Not only is it important to wipe up splashed water as quickly as possible to avoid slips and falls, but standing moisture encourages mold and mildew to grow in any small cracks or crevices in your bathroom flooring. It’s also possible to fail to notice a leak in your tub’s plumbing if you don’t always clean up splashed water.
Stop mold and mildew before it grows
To take care of mold that has already formed, or to stop it before it has the chance to form, take care to keep certain areas clean and dry. Thorough wipe-downs underneath the sink, around the toilet and on indoor and outdoor faucet connectors should be added to your weekly chore list.
Since not all fixtures or materials are safe from the harshness of bleach, mix together an eco-friendly solution, like anti-bacterial soap and water, distilled white vinegar and water or tea tree oil and water. Add to a spray bottle and lightly spray surfaces with your mixture. Wear gloves and wipe clean with a cloth or paper towel.
Don’t wait until it’s too late and more (and more costly) problems arise. If you suspect that your home has fallen victim to mold and mildew or you see the early signs of formation, contact the team at Rapids Plumbing & Heating Inc. for a trusted plumber in Grand Rapids, MN.