Mold Prevention

Mold can potentially cause serious side effects, such as allergic reactions and infections. The good news is that moisture is the only mold growth factor you can control in your home. By minimizing moisture, you reduce or eliminate mold growth.

Important

Mold requires moisture to grow. If moisture is present and remains on a mold food source, mold can develop within 24 to 48 hours.

How Mold Grows

Mold is a type of fungus that spreads through microscopic spores in the air. It requires four things to grow:

Requirement	In Your Home	Can You Control It?
Food	Wood, carpet, drywall, fabric, insulation	No - present in all homes
Air	Present everywhere	No - essential for living
Temperature	40°F to 100°F	No - typical home range
Moisture	Various sources	Yes - the key to prevention

Since moisture is the only controllable factor, mold prevention focuses entirely on moisture management.

Routine Maintenance

Task	Frequency	Time Required
Run exhaust fans during/after bathing	Daily	N/A
Run hood fan when cooking	Daily	N/A
Check under sinks for leaks	Monthly	5 minutes
Inspect caulking around tubs/showers	Monthly	5 minutes
Clean/replace furnace filter	Monthly	5 minutes
Check for condensation on windows	As needed	2 minutes

Daily Habits

Ventilation:

• Do not cover or interfere with fresh air supply to furnace
• Run the hood fan when cooking
• Turn bath fans on when bathrooms are in use
• Connect clothes dryer to vent pipe and clean exhaust tube as needed
• Air your house by opening windows when weather permits

Cleaning:

• Mold grows well on dust and dirt - vacuum and dust regularly
• Use bath tile cleaners that contain mold-fighting chemicals
• Wipe up any spills immediately

Regular Inspections

Check your home regularly for signs of water intrusion:

Signs to look for:

• Musty odor
• Staining
• Actual standing moisture

Areas to inspect:

• Inside cabinets under all sinks
• Behind toilets
• Seldom-used closets
• Refrigerator drip pan
• Air conditioning condensate line, coils, and condenser pan

Systems to verify:

• Sump pump functions correctly (if applicable)
• Weather stripping condition
• Caulking integrity
• Grout condition
• Weep holes clear

Moisture Management

Caulking Maintenance

Maintain all caulking around:

• Windows and doors
• Sinks, tubs, and showers

Caulk prevents water from getting behind surfaces where mold can grow undetected.

Condensation Control

Condensation on surfaces inside your home is a sign of high humidity.

If you notice condensation:

• Wipe it up immediately
• Take steps to reduce humidity
• Run exhaust fans more frequently
• Consider a dehumidifier in problem areas

Humidifier Operation

If your home includes a humidifier:

• Operate according to manufacturer's instructions
• Clean as recommended
• If condensation develops, turn the humidifier down or off

warning

Classic Homes does not install humidifiers and is not responsible for damages associated with humidifier installation or usage.

Landscaping and Drainage

Maintain positive drainage around your home:

• Avoid changes to grade that interfere with drainage
• Avoid exterior additions that dam water near the home
• Regularly inspect sprinkler systems
• Adjust sprinkler heads to avoid spraying the home
• Correct any leaks immediately
• Keep splash blocks and downspout extensions in place
• Clean gutters as needed to prevent overflow

Troubleshooting

Found Moisture or Musty Odor

1. Locate the source - Check likely areas
2. Clean up immediately - Don't let moisture sit
3. Find the cause - Leak, condensation, or spill?
4. Fix the problem - Repair leaks, improve ventilation
5. Monitor the area - Check regularly for recurrence

Found Visible Mold

Small area (less than 10 sq ft):

1. Clean with mold-killing cleaner
2. Allow to dry completely
3. Find and fix moisture source
4. Monitor for recurrence

Large or extensive area:

1. Consider professional remediation
2. Find and fix moisture source
3. May need professional assessment

Active Water Leak

1. Shut off water at source if plumbing
2. Contain water and protect belongings
3. Report to Classic Homes during warranty period
4. Clean up immediately - time is critical
5. Document damage for insurance if applicable

Important

Failure to report leaks promptly increases your risk and responsibility for repairs.

What to Avoid

• Don't ignore moisture - Address immediately
• Don't cover up musty odors - Find the source
• Don't let water stand - Clean up spills and leaks right away
• Don't block ventilation - Keep exhaust fans functional
• Don't over-humidify - Watch for condensation
• Don't neglect caulking - Maintain seals around wet areas

Water Shut-Off Valves

Be familiar with shut-off valves for all water supply lines in your home.

In the event of a leak:

1. Immediately shut off water at the appropriate valve
2. This minimizes the amount of water released
3. Clean up the water immediately

Knowing valve locations before an emergency saves critical time.

Prevention Checklist

Use this checklist to maintain a mold-resistant home:

• Exhaust fans run during and after bathing/cooking
• No condensation on windows or walls
• Under-sink areas dry with no leaks
• Caulking intact around tubs, showers, sinks
• Grout in good condition
• No musty odors anywhere in home
• Gutters clean and draining properly
• Downspout extensions in place
• Positive drainage away from foundation
• Sump pump working (if applicable)

Related Topics

• Condensation
• Ventilation
• Caulking
• Grading & Drainage
• Plumbing

---

Warranty Coverage: See Mold Standards for coverage information. During the warranty period, Classic Homes will respond to and repair water leaks that comply with the Standards of Performance.