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A Palm Beach County dehumidifier can either be a solid investment in your health and home or it could be an unnecessary purchase that raises your electricity bill. For best indoor comfort, a relative humidity of 45% is ideal.
Ideal Himidity
You can measure the humidity level in your home with a hygrometer, which cost as little as $15 and are available online and at most hardware stores. If measurements show the humidity level in your home is too high, follow these steps to decide whether or not a dehumidifier is the best way to solve the issue.
First, try properly venting high humidity rooms, such as bathrooms, by running the fan after showering. Laundry rooms and kitchens also produce a lot of moisture when in use, but the humidity can be lowered by simply opening windows. In addition, replacing carpets with tile or hardwood flooring can also help since carpets retain moisture.
Unfortunately, not all rooms have venting capabilities. Basements and crawl spaces are conducive to mold growth because they are dark and damp, and many lack both windows and fans. Often the only solution to protect against mold and make a room comfortable is to place a portable dehumidifier in the problem area.
Central Air Conditioning
Second, if you live in a space without central air conditioning, consider purchasing a portable air conditioner or window AC unit instead of a dehumidifier. Air conditioners automatically function as a dehumidifier by cooling the air. They will collect water like a dehumidifier and create a more comfortable living environment. Instead of spending money on an appliance that solves only one problem, consider investing a little more for a window or portable air conditioner heater that cools, heats and dehumidifies.
Finally, finding mold in your home is never a good thing. It causes allergies, some life-threatening, and can destroy your house. Should you find mold growing, the first steps to take are to determine the source and eradicate the growth.
Mold that is found growing near a window might be dealt with by ensuring the window is properly sealed with weather stripping or caulking. No moisture should be able to enter through the closed window. If the mold returns, then buying a residential dehumidifier is the next best step.
Mold Remediation
Mold growing on floorboards or on walls without windows might be caused by a leaking pipe. The process of fixing a leak that is inside a wall is generally not quick or simple, but absolutely necessary. A concealed leak can cause wood to rot and slowly deteriorate your house from the inside out. Simply buying a dehumidifier will not fix this type of issue.
Should you suspect a pipe is leaking inside your house wall, immediately call a professional plumber or contractor and arrange for them to survey the problem area. If no leak is found, then the room is most likely a high moisture area that could benefit from the presence of a dehumidifier.
A dehumidifier can help prevent mold from forming, but it cannot remediate mold that is already present. To kill existing mold, create a solution that is 1 part detergent, 5 parts bleach and 20 parts warm water and spray it on the visible mold and surrounding area. Make sure the mold is fairly damp before attempting to wipe it or scrub it off as dry mold spreads spores more easily than wet mold. For hard-to-kill mold, a stronger solution can be used up to 10 parts bleach. It is necessary to kill the mold, not just remove it, to ensure it does not return.
Humidifiers
People living in high humidity areas are not the ones who might need a home dehumidifier. Those who suffer from allergies may also benefit from owning one. An anti-bacterial filter allows a dehumidifier to function as an air purifier by eliminating allergens, like dust mites, from the air. These types of filters are great for bedrooms, as they can help you and your family sleep more soundly.
A Palm Beach County dehumidifier can save a homeowner a lot of money and time by preventing mold and allergens, but it is always best to make sure there is not an easier solution to or a serious issue behind humidity problems in the home.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4615433
If you are looking for a Palm Beach County residential indoor air quality contractor please call us today at 561-790-6866 or complete our online service request form.
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