A Major Key to Mold Remediation is Humidity Control

2/21/2017 (Permalink)

Look at this moldy living room. This is what can occur when water damage is not properly mitigated.

    Humidity Control is Key

      When you live in a subtropical area, like the south Atlantic region of the United States, the high humidity both outside and inside can have consequences far beyond personal discomfort. Given the right combination of free floating microbial particles and ambient moisture, the interior of your home can exhibit significant mold damage, even without leaky pipes or a damaged roof. SERVPRO technicians can help you evaluate whether the mold damage you are experiencing in your home is traceable to simple high humidity or if other sources of water need to be uncovered. We also then will work with you to use a variety of techniques to reduce the moisture levels of the air within your house so that fungal growth will be reduced, slowed, and then halted.
 
     Existing microbial colonies and mold damage linked to high humidity in Fernandina Beach and North Jacksonville should be treated with the EPA approved protocol to remove from areas they infest. Our SERVPRO mold remediation technicians are well trained in this best-practices methodology. Containment, cautious but thorough removal, and proper disinfection will bring the microbial activity to a baseline where no current growth is expected. As long as you are careful to monitor the humidity after the protocol is followed mold proliferation should cease.

     The level suggested for the interior relative humidity of your home should measure is 60 percent or less to discourage mold growth. Do not guess to maintain this level, particularly if you have just battled back from a mold infestation. Invest in a good quality hygrometer to be certain your humidity levels are within the parameters that will discourage mold growth.

     To reduce the moisture content of the air within your home, make sure all exhaust fans are working properly in high moisture generating rooms like the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry areas. Be sure all family members are using them regularly when cooking, showering, and washing clothes.

     Dryers must vent to the outdoors. Remember to run air conditioners regularly as they work largely by removing moisture from the air. Eliminate the use of vaporizers or humidifiers in the house. If all of these measures do not reduce the humidity to proper levels, invest in one or more dehumidifiers to get to and then maintain that 60 percent standard. Be sure all equipment used to reduce the humidity is checked for proper drainage of the water removed from the air. Empty the water condensed as needed or set the machine up to discharge into a sink or drain. Keep everything scrupulously clean so that mold does not begin growing within the very system you have set up to reduce humidity.