A seasonal mold prevention calendar for Milwaukee homes

Mold needs moisture, a food source and time. Homes in the Milwaukee area get plenty of moisture. Deep frost, spring flooding, hot humid summers and hard storms all stress a house in different ways. A short task list each season is cheaper than a cleanup.

This calendar covers jobs a careful homeowner can do alone. It also marks the points where a professional with the right equipment makes more sense.

Spring: thaw, rain and flooding

Spring is when basements get tested.

• Pour a bucket of water into the sump pit and confirm the pump starts and drains out. Check that the discharge pipe is clear and carries water away from the house.
• Walk the foundation and look for new cracks or damp patches.
• Clear gutters and extend downspouts so water lands several feet from the wall.
• Check that the soil slopes away from the house.
• Look in the basement corners, behind stored boxes and along the bottom of finished walls for musty smells or stains.

If water has entered, dry the area quickly and remove soaked items. Wet carpet, padding and drywall that stay damp for days are a common starting point for mold. Large wet areas need professional drying equipment.

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Summer: heat and humidity

Warm, humid air condenses on cool basement walls, pipes and ductwork.

• Run a dehumidifier in the basement and aim to keep indoor humidity moderate. A small humidity gauge is inexpensive and takes the guesswork out.
• Empty the dehumidifier regularly, or run it to a drain.
• Use bath fans during and after showers, and run the kitchen vent while cooking.
• Check that the dryer vent runs outdoors and is not crushed or clogged.
• Keep the AC condensate line clear and look for drips around the unit.
• After a hard thunderstorm or hail, check the ceiling in the top floor and the attic for stains or damp insulation.

Fall: get ready for the cold

Fall is the time to close gaps before frost.

• Clean gutters again after the leaves drop.
• Look at roof flashing, vents and chimney edges from the ground, or ask a roofer to inspect them if you see damage.
• Seal gaps where pipes, wires and vents pass through exterior walls.
• Check attic ventilation. Soffit vents should not be blocked by insulation.
• Disconnect garden hoses and shut off outdoor spigots according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Replace the furnace filter before the heating season.

Winter: frost, ice and closed windows

Cold weather brings condensation on windows and in poorly vented attics.

• Watch for fogged windows, damp window sills and dark spots on exterior walls or in closets against outside walls.
• Keep furniture a few inches off cold exterior walls so air can circulate.
• Look for ice dams along the roof edge. Water backing under shingles can wet the attic and ceiling below.
• Check the attic on a cold day for frost on the underside of the roof deck. That can mean warm indoor air is leaking up.
• Use bath and kitchen fans even though windows are closed.

A frost-covered attic or ice dam is worth a professional look. Working on a roof in winter is not a homeowner project.

After any water event

A burst pipe, sewer backup, roof leak or flood changes the schedule. Mold can begin to grow within a couple of days on materials that stay wet. Stop the water, document the damage with photos, and dry what can be dried. Porous materials that stayed wet may have to be removed.

When to stop and call for help

Treat these as signs that a professional assessment is warranted:

• A musty smell with no visible source
• Growth bigger than a small surface stain
• Stains that return after you clean them
• Mold in or near the HVAC system
• Anyone in the home with breathing problems that seem tied to a damp area

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Keep reading

• Questions to ask a mold provider in Milwaukee before you hire
• What mold remediation and testing cost in Milwaukee, and why
• Mold Remediation