Moisture is a naturally occurring problem for many homeowners. Whether you live in a hot climate, cool climate, humid climate or merely a climate that sees frequent rain, moisture can begin to cause chaos and require expensive repairs. The climate isn’t the only cause of moisture in a home; areas such as the kitchen and the bathroom can be problematic areas for moisture control due to their appliances and the tasks performed in them. Learning how to control moisture and prevent excess moisture can not only prevent mold, but ward off a variety of other problems in your home.
Sources of moisture are sometimes difficult to identify, particularly because they may not logically seem as though they are contributing to moisture in your home. Repeated use of your shower or bathtub with poor ventilation can cause the paint in your bathroom to peel. After time, mold will typically begin to grow on the ceiling and the walls of the shower, making mold remediation essential. Frequently cooking soups or other dishes that create steam and moisture in the kitchen can cause similar problems if no ventilation is present, turning the cooking area into an unsafe and hazardous area for food preparation.
More common areas that tend to accumulate moisture include leaking windows, roofs, broken or poor HVAC and mechanical systems, pipe leaks and pipe breaks. If you happen to live in a very humid climate, the problems created by these areas can be exacerbated. Because mold growth can begin after 48 hours of high moisture levels, ignoring problematic areas for moisture is ill advised.
The most effective approach to limiting mold growth is simply to detect moisture and moisture damage swiftly, addressing it so it is unable to create further problems. If you see mold growing in your home or believe that your home smells earthy or musty, you should immediately seek the assistance of a certified mold inspector. There are, however, a variety of steps that you can take in order to combat moisture:
- Increase the ventilation in your home with fans to create a steady breeze, and install ventilation in problematic areas like the kitchen and bathroom to decrease the likelihood that moisture will occur.
- Install storm windows or simply replace your windows with those that are airtight and energy efficient to reduce the collection of moisture on the glass.
- Utilize a dehumidifier and moisture reader to observe and regulate moisture levels in your home. Ideally, the humidity of your home should be at 60% or less.
- Identify any leaks or leaking basements. Repairing them greatly reduces the risk of mold growth in your home.
- Have your HVAC system regularly serviced to lessen the likelihood that a break could occur.
Keep your family safe from mold, and be a diligent observer of moisture in your home!
