Fall leaves look beautiful and provide a crisp crunch under your feet, but they can have a negative impact on your health. Mold can grow on leaves that sit on the ground for extended periods of time. There are also certain types of mold that grow on tree leaves. These spores can be brought into your home and circulate in your indoor air. This leads to allergies, breathing issues, headaches, and other health problems.
Carrying Mold Spores Inside
Walking through leaves and mold can result in spores entering your home, spreading, and circulating through your air. It’s a good idea not to wear your shoes once you’re inside. Also, change your clothing at the end of the day and shower to make sure you don’t bring mold spores to bed with you.
Consider upgrading your HVAC filter to improve your indoor air quality. A filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 12 is ideal during the fall and winter when mold is a concern. You can also have a whole-home air filtration system installed on your HVAC system. This equipment can trap as much as 99.97% of the contaminants in your indoor air, including mold spores. Make sure you’re using a high-quality filter that traps mold, like a high-efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA).
Issues With Your Gutters
As leaves fall, they can accumulate inside your gutters and downspouts. This traps rainwater against the edge of your roof and exterior walls. If your home isn’t completely sealed, moisture can leak into your attic, crawl space, basement, and walls. This is a scenario in which mold can grow and spread quickly throughout your home.
We recommend a fall inspection of your roof, including your gutters and downspouts. If any problems are present, repairs can be made before moisture and mold become an interior concern.
High Levels of Relative Humidity
As leaves accumulate in your gutters and on your roof, this can result in moisture leaching into your home. Leaves around your foundation can also increase indoor humidity. As your indoor relative humidity rises above 50%, mold is more likely to grow. Keep an eye on condensation that forms on windows, doors, or mirrors.
You can use a hygrometer to track relative humidity. A whole-home dehumidifier goes on your HVAC system. It removes moisture, improving air quality. This helps prevent respiratory problems from getting worse due to poor indoor air.
Address indoor air quality concerns this fall so you and your family feel your best. Contact our team at Waccamaw Cooling in Myrtle Beach, SC, for indoor air quality support.
