As the leaves begin to change colors, the days become shorter, and the air grows crisp, we can begin to feel the arrival of fall in the South Jersey Region. Autumn may be a sweet relief from the scorch of summer, but do not forget that winter is just lurking around the corner.
While the temperature is mild, it is important to thoroughly assess the conditions of your NJ property and complete any necessary fall home maintenance before closing the home up for winter.
Fall is a great time of year to conduct a routine check of your property for any areas of vulnerability to moisture problems and look for signs of any existing moisture damage. The weather is relatively comfortable, and it is a great opportunity to complete any home improvement to protect against the harsh elements of winter.
Also, keep in mind, if a minor mold problem is neglected going into the winter months, the indoor conditions of the home during winter will allow the mold to grow and spread. The latest energy efficiency leave homes fully sealed up. The warm indoor environment will be an ideal breeding ground for minor mold growth to develop into a widespread problem. Widespread mold growth usually requires the services of a mold remediation professional in South Jersey. Mold remediation and other home repair services can be quite expensive depending on the size of the problem, so be proactive and complete the necessary maintenance checks to avoid costlier repairs.
Indoor Humidity Control in Your South Jersey Home
Humidity is one of the top contributing factors to an indoor mold problem in South Jersey homes. Part of your fall home maintenance should include assessing for and addressing any indoor humidity issues before the winter months.
Consider a dehumidifier if your home is prone to humidity:
Air conditioning systems can be a great way to control humidity during the summer months, but that is not an option during the winter months.
Regularly check all indoor areas for damp spots:
Address any signs of dampness immediately
Establish as much indoor airflow as possible throughout the property:
- Avoid excessive clutter.
- Space furniture away from walls whenever possible
- Leave interior doors open whenever possible (i.e: bedrooms doors, closet doors, bathroom doors, etc.)
With all the latest energy efficiency options made available to us today, we tend to, unknowingly, seal our homes far too tightly. As the temperature drops, and we begin to close up our tightly sealed homes, we risk trapping moisture and raising humidity levels.
If your rooms are poorly ventilated, the warmer indoor air cannot escape. If the trapped warm air comes in contact with cooler air, you risk condensation settling on building materials and feeding potential indoor mold growth. It is important to control indoor humidity in your NJ home during the winter months in order to prevent mold growth.
Fall Home Maintenance Tips for New Jersey Homeowners
It is important to assess your South Jersey home for areas that might be vulnerable to water intrusion. Also look for signs of existing damage or fall home maintenance issues. Address fall home maintenance issues in their early stages can help to prevent serious problems in the future.
Clean all gutters
Make sure that gutters are free of debris and all obstructions. Backed up gutters can lead to major water damage around the roof and ponding around the foundation walls.
Inspect the condition of your roof
Check for any missing or discolored shingles, soft spots, and any signs of visible damage. Be sure to also inspect soffits/eaves for signs of water damage, rot, and/or mold.
Assess the quality of your foundation
Make sure your foundation walls are free of cracks or anything allow water intrusion or compromise the structural integrity of your home. It is important to manage the draining around your foundation. Any water runoff should be drained away from the property to avoid water collection and flooding around the property, which risks water intrusion through the foundation.
Check basements, attics, and crawl spaces
Take some time to complete a thorough walk-thru of your basement, attic, and/or crawl space. These are areas that homeowners tend to neglect because they are usually unoccupied space, typically relegated to being used as storage space. Check the humidity levels and be sure that these spaces are well ventilated. Inspect for any leaks or any vulnerability to water intrusion.
Immediate Action To Address Fall Home Maintenance Problems
If you come across any areas of major water intrusion be sure to contact a professional to assess the situation immediately. It will not be long before you start noticing the beginnings of water damage. If not handled properly and with a sense of urgency, water intrusion can quickly lead to compromised structural integrity and risk of a widespread mold contamination. In severe cases, you will need to contact an emergency water extraction professional in your NJ area right away to begin the structural drying process as soon as possible to prevent future, costly damages.
Making it a semi-annual routine (fall and spring), to complete these property maintenance repairs and inspections, will go a long way in aiding the prevention of mold growth in your home. If you have time to complete minor or partial checks in between just as a precaution, it would be even better. If you come across anything that you suspect to be potential mold growth, call a professional to complete a professional mold inspection in your NJ home. Catching the problem early on can prevent an expensive mold remediation further down the line.
