If you live in an area that is humid or you have to often keep your windows closed due to bad weather, then you should consider installing a dehumidifier in your home to help prevent mold growth.
Here is why they help.
Mold needs two things to grow: water and food.
If you don’t provide an environment with both of these things, then there’s no way that mold can grow.
But the facts are that many cities and homes today have excessively humid air and environments that can provide enough moisture for mold to start growing on walls, ceilings, floors, furniture, and personal items.
According to the CDC, exposure to damp, moldy environments can cause a variety of health problems such as a stuffy nose or wheezing, a fever, shortness of breath, and the development of asthma in children.
Dehumidifiers help prevent mold in humid environments by removing moisture from the air and maintaining an average indoor humidity level between 30% and 50% in your home.
This means that there shouldn’t be any condensation or water spots on windows or walls during the winter months when it’s cold outside (and you need less heating) or in the summer in humid climates.
They will help remove moisture from this area and send it outside through its hose or drain pipe or both.
It is important you understand that dehumidifiers do not remove or get rid of mold.
They are not designed for use in spaces that have already been contaminated. They are intended for use in areas where spores may be present but have not yet taken root in walls or other surfaces within your home.
Here are some tips you should know about buying and using a dehumidifier:
Dehumidifiers come in two main types: portable and whole-house units.
Portable units are more affordable than whole-house units, but they’re less powerful and must be emptied more often because they have smaller reservoirs than their larger counterparts do.
Whole-house units are installed permanently in one location (usually near a furnace) and they’re designed with larger capacities than portable models so they don’t need to be emptied as often during use (but they still need regular maintenance).
There are many different brands available on the market today including Frigidaire, GE, Kenmore and LG among others so it’s important that you do some research beforehand before making any purchases so that you choose one with features that will meet your needs best especially if you plan on keeping it long term.
Place unit in the proper location.
In order for a dehumidifier to work properly, it needs to be placed in the right spot in your house.
The ideal location is one where you can cover much of the areas of your home one where there is high humidity and/or condensation problems, or specific rooms such as basements, bathrooms, and kitchens.
Don’t put it in an enclosed space like a closet or cabinet.
Clean it regularly
It’s important to clean your dehumidifier regularly so that any mold spores are not growing inside your unit or tank. The easiest way to do this is by emptying the tank and cleaning it out with some soap and or hydrogen peroxide.
Vacuum out the dust container every few days (after switching off). If you have a built-in model, you can also wipe down its exterior with a damp cloth or sponge and then dry it off thoroughly afterwards.
Moe Bedard is the founder of Mold Safe Inspections and manager at Mold Safe Solutions. A full-service Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) company specializing in property water damage, mold inspections, consultations, and mold remediation.
If you need help with a project, please call 760-818-6830.
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