Mold and mildew love boats. This is because boats are often exposed to water, which can cause standing water, condensation and humidity to form, and all of this together leads to mold.
Mold is an expensive thing to fix, usually, people need to call professionals to remove mold from boat seats, covers and bulkheads. So here’s how you get rid of and reduce the amount of mold in your boat forever.
Remove the Existing Mold
Mold and mildew can carry on for years, so if you don’t get rid of them properly, you will be fighting the mold on and on for years to come. This is why you’ve got to call the professionals, once the mold is removed, you can take preventative measures to stop it from happening again, and a mold remediation company like Flood Pros USA can help you manage this.
Keep Away From Water
Seeing as we’re talking about boats, this can be something that’s easier said than done. But the important part to remember here is that not all parts of your boat are waterproof. Often, the outside and the deck are these the most waterproof parts of the boat but leaks and condensation within the boat can lead to mold growing.
To prevent unwanted water (not bodies of water), you should consider sealing any leaks. These are commonly found in portholes and hatches, and this is usually where mold is found. In addition, take a look at cleats, deck hatches, windlasses and stanchion bases to ensure they are sealed. If there are any leaks or something goes wrong with the seals, you will want to immediately dry the area, fix the leak (the actual source of the leak, not just the area around the leak) and then monitor the area to make sure it’s remaining dry. By doing this you can stop water from getting where it shouldn’t and take good care of your boat.
Ventilation Matters
Stale air is one huge reason why mold grows in boats, especially in boats that are covered in the off-season. So, it’s a smart idea to consider ventilation while your boat is covered. You can do this in a few ways, the first is to install vents. These are commonly solar vents, and they force outside air into the cabin to help match air temperatures. In addition to this, you can also consider portable dehumidifiers to help reduce moisture, especially if the weather is too harsh to consider solar-powered vents.
If all of these options don’t suit you, the other choice is to simply remove and disinfect the boat cover whenever the weather permits and start airing things out manually (manually, as in letting the air just do its thing).
Remove Things From The Boat
The very last step is to remember to remove linens, clothes and anything inside the boat that can cause mold to start living inside it. If you can remove boat seats, mattresses and curtains, go ahead and do it, otherwise check them often for hidden mold.
