Construction companies are becoming more and more aware of the risk associated with moisture build up in a home. They know that if there is enough moisture in a home, the chances of mold developing are heightened, and that can pose serious risks to the homeowner. Companies are creating new items that can help combat these moisture problems. From treated wood and treated insulation, these new items are being used in most new homes today.
A problem that is common with most new homes today, however, is the fact that they are built with only the minimum requirements for each room, with the exception of the master bedroom or the living room. If the minimum requirement for a bedroom measures at 9'3" x 9'4", then chances are well that the bedrooms in a new home will meet those minimum requirements and nothing more. Due to the space in the home being more tight and enclosed, the chances of mold developing are greatly increased. A couple of ways to increase the ventilation throughout the home are by opening up the windows or by using an air conditioner. Moisture cannot accumulate in a home that has very good ventilation and increased airflow.
Bathrooms are among one of the worst rooms for mold, and precautions must always be taken to prevent it from growing in the first place. Building codes require that a bathroom must have at least one form of ventilation in the room, whether it's an exhaust fan or a window. Sometimes, bathrooms are built with both a fan and a window. If that is the case, both of these should be used during and after a shower or bath to ensure all of the moisture has left the room.
If you are a first time homebuyer looking to purchase a newly constructed home, you can ask your agent if the home has been built with treated products that aid in the prevention of moisture build up. Every fixture or feature in your home that is normally prone to moisture, such as the sink, countertop, caulk, and more, could have been treated with anti-microbial additives. Make sure that there is proper ventilation in the kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry room, which are the rooms that are most prone to moisture and mold problems.
