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Windows are a hot spot for inviting mold into your home. Unfortunately, windows offer a space where mold spores can build up over time, and where moisture can be trapped, causing the mold to grow quickly. With this in mind, you need to be proactive about preventing mold in your Cincinnati home by performing regular window maintenance and inspections. Here’s how:
Clean your Windows Often
The easiest way to prevent mold from growing in your window spaces is to keep your windows very clean, inside and out. Mold spores begin to build up in the lower tracks of the window and on the outside of the window frame over time as they are deposited by the wind. Using a spray bottle and a rag, you should wipe these dark specks up before they start to form a thick layer on your window. This will keep them from finding a comfortable home to grow in.
Inspect for Leaks
Even if you keep your windows clean, you may find that mold is still appearing on the walls around your windows. This can be caused by tiny leaks in the caulking and seals of your window, which allow water to get inside and create a warm, moist environment that is perfect for mold to grow. Usually, you can find the source of the leak if you look closely at the caulking because you will often find dark streaks of mold running beneath the caulking where it is not properly sealed. This can be remedied by removing the caulking and re-sealing the window after the mold has been remediated. Caulking dries out as it ages, and begins to crack, so you should make inspections a part of your yearly window maintenance plan.
Keep the Areas around Your Windows Clear
If you love having plants on your window sills, or you often run a humidifier, you may be causing mold to grow unwittingly. Plants and humidifiers often cause a buildup of moisture around windows where there is a drastic temperature difference across the window pane. Make a point of clearing the area around your windows regularly and pay attention to any signs of moisture building up inside the home.
These three tips will help you keep mold out of your Cincinnati home, and they should be a part of your regular window maintenance routine. Each one only takes a few minutes but will go a long way toward protecting your windows and your home from the dangers of black mold.
To learn more about window maintenance techniques, and what to do if your windows are leaking, call Renewal by Andersen today. We can send a technician out to inspect your windows and get you on the track toward a mold-free home.