Our home is a place of refuge, where we escape the confines of our 9 to 5, to join together with friends and family on the weekend to indulge in barbecues & pool parties and rejoice the extended sunshine that the day brings.

Often times during the summer months, your house is functioning at a much higher capacity. Dangerous conditions due to the heat, summer storms, constant air conditioning, all can lead to household nuisances such as mold caused from the combination of heat & moisture, as well as roof leaks & flooding from the summer monsoon season.

Molds are an unwanted guest during summer, they float around to escape the heat of the summer and as soon as they spot a house left alone for vacation, they waste no time colonizing such house. All they need is warmth and moisture which is of course due to the heat. They are not like weeds that you see easily and can uproot right away. They are mostly microscopic, spread so fast and they damage the structure of your home and your possessions. Their worse effect is that they can pose health risks to you. According to CDC, exposure to moldy environments may cause a variety of illness like nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or, in some extreme cases, chronic lung illnesses.

What about Flooding? During summer storms, Roofs & ceilings of homes can be at risk of getting flooded which might be due to unidentified or neglected entry points like air conditioner & roof leaks.

To prevent the dangerous effects of molds, heat, and flooding, these 5 practical steps can go a long way to keep your home healthy during the summer season.

1. Eliminate places that will encourage mold, e.g. leaking roofs, walls, pipes or shower.
2. Keep the humidity low using exhaust fan or dehumidifier programmed to turn on at regular intervals while you are away.
3. Reduce heat and condensation by installing insulation, also use blinds or shades on windows to reduced heat from the Sun.
4. Get your AC ready and set. In addition to cooling your home, your AC can remove moisture from the air to lower the humidity level inside your house. This excess condensed water is removed from the AC unit through a small drain pipe and deposited outside on the ground. These culprits, molds can build up inside the condensation drain line and form a clog, causing water to back up and overflow inside the air conditioner unit. To prevent this from happening, pour a cup of bleach in the access opening in the drain line near the AC unit to kill any algae, mold, or mildew that has formed in the pipe.
5. Thoroughly identify entry points for flood and block them. Install French drains help keep water from pooling.

So with these practical steps, you can enjoy your vacation with peace of mind and be rest assured knowing that your house is safe.

Should you encounter water related damage or suspect mold in your home EHS Restoration provides quality service that you can trust.