Arkansas residents know a thing or two about humidity. Unfortunately, general discomfort isn’t the only threat that high humidity poses to Arkansas homeowners. Excess moisture increases the potential for the growth of harmful molds that are not only detrimental to the health of your family, but to the structural integrity of your home.
The question is, how do you ward off excess moisture in such a humid climate? The first step is to reduce humidity and condensation in the home. Air conditioners and de-humidifiers can provide some relief, as can proper ventilation. You may also consider opening windows or running house fans whenever engaging in moisture producing activities such as showering, cooking or running a dishwasher. Condensation on cold surfaces such as water pipes may be addressed through the addition of insulation.
Keeping the relative humidity indoors at 55 percent or lower will help prevent the growth of mold. Ideal levels of humidity fall between 30 and 50 percent. If condensation is appearing in your home, dry it as soon as possible. In fact, any spilled or leaked water should be addressed immediately to prevent the growth of mold. This also means keeping a close watch on gutters, air conditioning drip-pans, and any other areas subject to standing water or excess moisture accumulation.
If you decide to clean up existing mold on your own, remember the health implications of mold exposure. Wear gloves and goggles. You may also consider an N-95 respirator, which limits the chance of breathing this harmful contaminant into your lungs. While you may be able to clean up easily accessible mold, contact one of our technicians if you suspect mold hidden behind surfaces such as wallpaper. Disturbing these areas haphazardly can result in the release of health-compromising spores throughout your home. These areas should be left to a professional.
If you’re battling high humidity in your home or have experienced problems with mold in the past, let our trained technicians help you in finding a solution. Contact us today at Paschal Heating, Air & Geothermal for expert consultation. We’ll be happy to help.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Paschal Heating, Air & Geothermal services Northwest Arkansas. To get started, check out our website.
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