RALEIGH, N.C. -- The heat and humidity are back in full force this week, pushing many of us to crank up the air conditioning in our homes for relief. But unfortunately that can lead to condensation and moisture inside our homes, which then can produce the very dangerous fungus, mold.

  • It only takes 24 to 48 hours for mold to grow in wet and warm conditions
  • Leaving the fan on the setting “on” runs the system continuously, and can cause moisture to condense on the air conditioner coil that then blows back into the home
  • Make sure your gutters and downspouts are redirecting rainwater away from the foundation

Spectrum News anchor Caroline Blair sat down with an expert in the business, AdvantaClean franchise owner Mark England, for a look at ways to prevent and treat it if the fungus is found.

According to England, it only takes 24 to 48 hours for mold to grow in wet and warm conditions. And excessive moisture behind walls and under floors created from humidity and constantly running the AC, creates the perfect breeding ground for mold.

Unfortunately you often can’t always see or smell this type of mold, which can eventually make your family sick. Mold can create symptoms of body aches, joint pain, nausea, chronic illness, respiratory issues and more. This is a big concern for the very young and old, and people with compromised immune systems.  

England offers the following tips on how to prevent mold growth in our homes in the summer months:

Leave your fan on auto: Leaving the fan on the setting “on” runs the system continuously, and can cause moisture to condense on the air conditioner coil that then blows back into the home.  He suggests using the “auto” setting instead.  

Crawlspaces: Make sure crawlspaces have vapor barriers on the floor, which are plastic coverings that lay on top of the dirt.  This prevents moisture from the ground from evaporating and seeping through the air back into the house.  He suggests professionally encapsulating and sealing the walls with this plastic and installing a dehumidifier to create the appropriate humidity levels.  

Rein in rain: Make sure your gutters and downspouts are redirecting rainwater away from the foundation.  

Unfortunately, once you get mold, it can’t be treated with bleach.  Bleach actually makes mold grow. However, England says you can use an antimicrobial mixture of household items like hydrogen peroxide, vinegar or baking soda to kill or prevent growth of mold. 

However, depending on the growth or moisture, it may be best to call in the experts.  They have the ability to crawl into crawlspaces and other hard to reach parts of your home. They also have the proper tools to read moisture levels. 

If mold is found, they also have safety measures in place to prevent it from spreading and safely treating the fungus without causing harm to life.

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