The Tiny house Blog

How to Prevent Mold Inside Your Tiny House

By
Jason Francis
Designed and built over 100 custom tiny homes, lived on a sailboat for 9 months, and loves to live life to the fullest with his wife and their 4 kids.
Updated on:
June 10, 2024
How to Prevent Mold Inside Your Tiny House

Image Source: Canva

Some of the very many advantages of downsizing into a tiny home include reduced costs, lessened environmental impacts, and the freedom just to pack up and go whenever the mood strikes. A potential problem often heard of regarding tiny houses is the occurrence of mold. 

The fact that tiny homes are small and less ventilated, if care is not taken, creates the right environment. Mold can also result in a wide range of health hazards and destruction to the house's structure. However, it can be avoided by building itself up in your tiny house with the following steps.

Moisture Level Control

Mold thrives in moist environments. Therefore, in your tiny house, controlling water and moisture conditions is essential. High humidity levels, leaks, and condensation can cause mold growth. Here are some ways you can manage moisture:

Utilize exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen. Leave them on to ensure they draw humid air and steam out.

Repair any pipe, window, or roof leak as soon as it occurs to avoid water damage or mold growth.

Never mind the windows and mirrors; remember to wipe them regularly because condensation appears there most often.

Avoid drying clothes indoors, as this can drastically increase indoor humidity levels.

Get a dehumidifier if your tiny house is located in a humid climate like Texas or Florida.

Mold cannot establish itself in relative humidity conditions below 50%. A cheap hygrometer will approximate moisture levels and can be used to keep track of the moisture content in your tiny house. 

If you observe relative humidity being held above 50 %, then take action to mitigate moisture; for example, turn on the dehumidifier or increase ventilation.

Ensure Proper Ventilation

Stagnant, close air in a small house offers the perfect conditions for mold spores to grow. Probably the best piece of advice on how to avoid mold in a small house is through innovating the airflow within. Here are some ideas:

Open a window on one side of the house and another on the opposite side to bring a cross-ventilation effect whenever the weather permits. This way, one can flush out the stale air and usher the house with fresh air.

Install ceiling fans to ensure proper air circulation in the entire space, which reduces the possibility of moisture condensation on surfaces.

Ensure that your range exhausts and clothes dryer vent to the outside to carry away extra moisture from cooking and laundry.

Allow space behind furniture for ventilation, and avoid over-filling closets, which may restrict free air movement.

Install a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) or an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) that introduces fresh air with minimal energy loss. These will exhaust the old inside air and replace it with fresh outside air continually.

Proper ventilation is the solution to mold growth in your tiny house. Allow for a good flow of fresh air that will cut down on the accumulation of moisture and hence make it difficult for mold to take hold.

Image Source: Canva

Construct with Mold-Resistant Material

As you are constructing or adorning your tiny home, utilize materials that, in one way or another, are molded-resistant. Here are some of the alternatives to use:

Use moisture-resistant drywall in areas such as bathrooms and kitchens.

I prefer tiled, metal, or plastic surrounds in the shower area rather than drywall, which can absorb moisture.

Use mold-inhibiting paints when painting walls and ceilings. These contain special additives that prevent molds from growing.

Choose rot-resistant wood species for trim and other wood elements, such as cedar or redwood.

Install hard flooring materials, such as tile or luxury vinyl plank, instead of carpeting, which will easily allow moisture to escape.

Thoughtful initial material choices will put you a mile ahead in preventing mold problems down the road. Although mold-resistant materials can be more expensive initially, their use can save you much more time, money, and headaches in the long run.

Clean Regularly

Stopping the mold very effectively when it is starting by usual cleaning; for mold feeds on dust, dirt, and organic trash, any cleaning is the key. Here are some of the maid's tricks of the trade:

Vacuum soft surfaces, such as rugs and upholstery, regularly with a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner. The HEPA filter will trap the mold spores and other allergens that the vacuum sucks.

Mop and disinfect the hard floors, and clean and disinfect hard surfaces such as kitchen countertops.

Do not leave lying about wet objects such as towels or dishcloths. Hang them up to dry and ensure they do so entirely.

Aim to clean and disinfect the shower curtain or liner every month to prevent the growth of mold and mildew.

Regularly clean your refrigerator and throw away nigh spoiling food, as it can also be a source of mold.

If you're short on timeᅳor honestly, just want some additional helpᅳconsider hiring a green cleaning service experienced in mold prevention.. A professional cleaning company will have the expertise and equipment to make your tiny home sparkle mold-free.

If Mold Is Visible, Take Quick Action

Even with the best prevention, mold can still take hold. If you see or smell mold, you must take action quickly to stop it in its tracks. Take several steps to do this:

Find and correct the source of the moisture problemᅳsuch as a leak or high humidity.

Clean hard surfaces that are soiled with mold using a detergent solution, then allow them to dry completely.

Remove and replace porous materials such as carpet, drywall, or insulation if they have become moldy because these items cannot be effectively cleaned.

Use a HEPA air purifier to trap mold spores and improve indoor air quality.

If the mold covers a large area or concerns for your health occur, hire a professional contractor to remove it safely.

Immediate remedial measures will keep a small mold problem from becoming a considerable contamination that can be harmful to your health and your home.

Conclusion

There are many advantages of living in a small house, but there are problems related to it, too. Preventing mold growth in a small house involves controlling moisture, providing good ventilation, selecting mold-resistant construction materials, regular house cleaning, and fast and timely response when symptoms are seen.

Always remember that preventing the causes of mold is the ultimate solution. From professional cleaners using mold prevention techniques, you can continue to enjoy tiny house living with nothing to worry about but the fresh air scent. Keep vigilant, continuing those preventative measures to maintain a healthy, mold-free home. Your tiny house should be a haven, not a health hazard.

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