Humidity and moisture in your home can be a real issue, resulting in mold, mildew, or rot problems. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to manage the moisture and prevent extensive damage from occurring. The key is to determine the cause of the moisture problem so you can stop it at its source. The following guide can help.
Kitchen/Bathroom Condensation
A common cause of moisture in homes is in the bathroom or kitchen. Steam from hot showers, dishes, or cooking can keep these rooms damp, so it's not uncommon to find mold or mildew lurking. Homeowners sometimes ignore this issue since it is easy to assume that regular cleaning removes mold spores. Unfortunately, moisture sometimes gets into the wallboard or underneath the flooring, leading to a hidden mold issue or wood rot. Installing ventilation fans in these rooms and then using them can prevent moisture issues.
High Humidity
Certain regions simply have higher humidity than others, or they may have seasonal high humidity from rain or heavy snow melt. Running ventilation may not help in this case, since the moisture is in both the indoor and the outdoor air. This can lead to mold growing anywhere, from the walls to inside carpeting or furniture. There are two options to counteract this – room dehumidifiers or a whole-house unit. Either will pull moisture out of the air when you are operating it. Room dehumidifiers are a low cost option that work well for minor air moisture issues. In highly humid climates it can be well worth it to have a whole-house dehumidifier installed as part of your HVAC system, which will allow you to control it at the flick of a switch.
Crawlspace moisture
Homes with a crawlspace can have a hidden source of moisture, which can lead to issues that affect the very foundation of your home. A wet crawlspace can lead to rotting of floor joists structural supports, as well as mold and mildew issues inside the home. The remedy is to have your crawlspace encapsulated. The process is thorough. First, a vapor barrier is installed over the underside of the home, then, a second barrier lines the bottom and sides of the crawlspace. This prevents both ground and air moisture from collecting underneath the home and then seeping in through the floor boards.
For more help in determining the best course of action for controlling your home's moisture issues, talk with a mold remediation company in your area.
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