We know what it feels like in the summer when the humidity is high, the temperatures are soaring, and we are miserable. But did you know that relative humidity needs to be addressed in the winter as well? Sometimes, humidity or dampness (water vapor) in the air can supply enough moisture for mold growth, which could cause mold damage to your home or business.
Mold And Healthy Humidity Levels
Indoor relative humidity (RH) should be kept below 60 percent – ideally between 30 percent and 50 percent, if possible. Why? One word: CONDENSATION.
Condensation forms when warm and humid air meets a cold surface. It is a unique threat to maintaining indoor moisture during the winter. If you notice condensation forming on your windows during winter, you will need to take immediate action. This is a sign the humidity is at a dangerous level and will encourage mold growth. If you notice condensation happening repeatedly or remember seeing it in past winters, contact a mold remediation company like Lamunyon Dry Out & Foundation Repair for help.
Why Do Homeowners Need To Be Concerned About Mold?
Mold can potentially cause health issues to the inhabitants of a home and can cause significant rot. Health concerns alone should warrant you to act, but the integrity of the structure of your home is also at risk and requires attention.
Excess moisture may result from the following:
- A damp basement
- A leaky roof
- Not using exhaust fans in the kitchen or bathroom
- Poor or improper ventilation
Identifying The Source Of The Moisture Is Key
Knowing why your home is overly humid will help you target your approach to resolve the issue.
1. Turn up the heat
Because warm air holds moisture, your home should not be overly humid, or it will turn into a sauna that will compound the problem. Use dry heat and ensure adequate airflow when warming your home.
2. Use a dehumidifier
Dehumidifiers dry the water out of the air and speed up the natural evaporation process. Dehumidifiers are particularly useful in basements, laundry rooms, bathrooms, and other areas that have high humidity levels. Be sure to invest in a dehumidifier that is the right size for the square footage of your home. It is better to be oversized than undersized on the dehumidifier unit.
3. Increase ventilation and airflow
Use the exhaust fan as you use the stove so the moisture in your food will not affect your home. Similarly, switch on the exhaust fan in your bathroom as you shower. Leave it on for another 30 minutes after you get out of the bathroom. If your washer and dryer cause windows to fog when they are on, consider installing an exhaust fan in the laundry room. Also, ensure that the dryer vents outside.
4. Proper drainage
Keep your gutters and downspouts clear. Make sure your home downspout and landscaping direct water away from your home.
5. Change flooring
Some carpets retain moisture. Switching them out for solid flooring may reduce relative humidity levels.
6. Insulate your pipes
Exposed pipes inside your home may sweat. Insulate them to prevent sweating and to protect them from the cold.
Why You Should Call Professionals for Mold Removal
When you discover a mold infestation, call Lamunyon for professional mold removal. Don’t try to DIY it- removing black mold yourself can spread the spores and put your family at risk.
Safety Concerns
Special precautions need to be taken when addressing various types of mold in the home. Few homeowners have the tools, safety equipment, and knowledge needed to ensure that they stay safe during the process. Even minimal exposure to black mold is known to contribute to:
- Chronic coughing and sneezing
- Respiratory irritation
- Skin disorders, including rashes
- Chronic fatigue
- Headaches
In the most extreme cases, an allergic reaction to some types of mold spores can cause vomiting, nausea, and bleeding within the lungs and nose. With the potential effects of exposure, it isn’t worth it to take the risk of handling the problem without professional assistance.
Realizing the Scope of Potential Danger
Not all household mold is toxic but professionals follow a protocol to assess the risk. Number one is to find the source of moisture and remove all traces. Then, based upon the amount of mold growth and other factors such as building materials, building occupants, etc. the remediation scope can be determined. The EPA has put together the following list of questions to help calculate the danger:
- Are there existing moisture problems in the building?
- Have building materials been wet for more than 48 hours?
- Are there hidden sources of water or is the humidity too high (high enough to cause condensation)?
- Are there musty or moldy odors?
- Are building occupants reporting health problems? Are building materials or furnishings visibly damaged?
- Has maintenance been delayed or the maintenance plan been altered?
- Has the building been recently remodeled or has the building use changed?
- Is consultation with medical or health professionals indicated?
Advantages to Hiring a Professional
Black mold releases spores, which can spread if not properly contained during removal. This can cause the mold to appear in other areas of your home, making a small problem a much larger issue. Professionals like Lamunyon will wear safety equipment, seal off other rooms, and properly dispose of any debris in order to contain the spores. Obviously, they will remove the visible mold growth, but also will probe further to identify any hidden areas.
Mold removal specialists also have access to a variety of high-tech equipment to handle toxic mold: personal protection gear, air filters, containment systems, and other heavy-duty products. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends hiring a mold cleanup specialist if:
- The moldy area is more than 10 square feet
- If your HVAC system has mold in it
- If the mold growth is on the walls, floors, or ceiling
- If you have health issues that could be aggravated by more exposure to mold
To clean small areas of mold, you may be able to use the same process as you would clean up mildew. For larger areas, the CDC advises that you use a “solution of no more than 1 cup of household laundry bleach per 1 gallon of water.” If you don’t want to mess with the hassle of bleach for mold cleanup, or the job feels like just “too much”, you should call mold removal specialists– Lamunyon. Whenever moisture invades your home, you have the potential for mold. If you suspect mold, you will need a professional, competent team to safely remove it.
Only a team with proper training and equipment will be able to safely dispose of all the debris without spreading it into other areas of your home.
Mold Remediation Company In Kansas
Preventing high humidity levels is just as crucial as low humidity levels in your home during the winter. Every home and situation is different. Regardless of the circumstances, it is important for you as a homeowner to be aware of the environment inside the home. Early intervention is the best course of action for these situations to prevent mold. With education and an experienced mold remediation company like Lamunyon Dry Out & Foundation Repair, you can rest assured that potential mold problems will be taken care of properly.
