Tips To Control Humidity & Reduce Mold In Your Home
Mold is a nuisance which can quickly turn into a large problem if not controlled. At H&S Heating and Air Conditioning, we provide proper ventilation to control humidity through our HVAC systems and strategic fan placements.
Read along as we learn how to control humidity and reduce mold in your home.
Tips To Control Humidity
1. Air Flow
Make sure air can flow freely through your home. While your home should be reasonably sealed to keep cold or hot air in or out depending on the season, you also need ventilation to control humidity which forms. Use exhaust fans in your kitchen, bathroom, and other spaces which receive moisture. Make sure they vent outside the home and not into an interior space like an attic.
2. Fix Leaks
Fix any leaks in your home’s roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow. Problem areas to check which you may not think of would include a chimney which isn’t properly sealed, and if your home is older, moisture can seep in through open earth in your basement. The chimney would need to be covered or sealed properly, while the open earth would need to be covered with a poly to act as a barrier.
3. Dehumidifier Or HVAC
Keep humidity levels lower by using one or multiple dehumidifiers in problem areas or an entire level of your home. If you have an HVAC system, the air conditioner and heater will push dry air through your home naturally which can help. Be sure to check your humidity levels repeatedly to make sure it stays below 50%.
Tips To Reduce Mold
1. Mold Inhibitors / Mold Killing
Add mold inhibitors to paints before painting. You can buy mold inhibitors at paint and home improvement stores.
Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products.
2. Clean Up After Spills / Floods
Clean up and dry out your home within 24-48 hours after a flood. Check with your insurance immediately, as they may cover professional water mitigation.
Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and can’t be dried in-place. Think about not using carpet in places like bathrooms or basements which may have a lot of moisture.
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