Summer rains can be a welcome refresher. But when the rain gods are overly generous and the skies open up, so do the humidity the floodwaters in our basements. This leads to one thing – mold.

Rain plus heat equals mold. While it may not be mathematically sound, it is an equation you can count on. Humidity is mold’s best friend, and mold can grow on just about anything – but not without moisture.  Therefore, in order to prevent mold, it is crucial to control moisture.

You can start with a dehumidifier. During the summer months, the dehumidifier should be set to keep the moisture level at 50%. If you set it higher, you are defeating the purpose and allowing moisture to linger and mold to grow. Click here for more on humidifier settings.

Another preventative measure that is easy and very effective is managing the water runoff from your house. If the water pouring off your roof has nowhere to drain, it can and will find its way into your home.  Keep your gutters and downspouts debris-free. Also, make sure that your downspouts are adequately angled away from the house. Otherwise, water will collect at the edge of the house and leak into the foundation and basement.

If water does creep in, address the problem immediately. If you suspect that mold has already made its way in, schedule a test with a certified microbial investigator. He can provide you with an assessment of the situation, and give you a plan to move forward and send the mold on it’s way.