‘If you know your enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.’
-Sun Tzu
I know this is a bit intense for an article on mold, but it brings up an important concept - in order to prevent mold on your properties think of mold as your opponent, which means you need to know your enemy, mold, in order to win.
Let’s think like mold - it thrives on moisture and organic materials. It loves dark spaces and prospers in warmer temperatures.
We now know our enemy. Here are some strategies to use for your game plan against it-
Since organic materials exist throughout the building, it is easier to limit the amount of moisture. Recommended indoor moisture levels are 40 to 60%. You can use a hygrometer to test this.
Use a dehumidifier if you live in a humid environment
Dry any wet areas within 24 hours as this is how long it takes for mold to start growing.
Fix leaks in pipes and faucets, windows, and on the roof.
Check basement units for water seepage. Since these units tend to have this problem, don’t use wall-to-wall carpeting in the basement and have residents use area rugs instead.
Try to make units well-ventilated, especially the kitchens and bathrooms as these accrue the most moisture. Be sure all vents lead outside and not into crawl spaces or the attic.
Check that the ground slopes down away from your units to prevent accumulation of water that will then seep into crawl spaces and basements.
Encourage residents to vacuum and dust often as this will reduce organic build-up, and to allow sunlight in at some point every day as mold does not like the sun. Also encourage them to open windows periodically to help ventilation.
Sun Tzu also said, ‘The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.’ By actively trying to prevent mold, you are preventing a battle you honestly do not want to fight later.
