When you’re looking to make a change in your life, buying a dehumidifier is probably not the first item on your list of resolutions. It’s a distinctly un-sexy purchase, that’s for sure. But when it comes to your health and well being — not to mention the safety of your home and the preservation of your belongings — a dehumidifier can have a huge effect on your life.
Here are five reasons it might be time to spring for one.
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Mold is invasive, and it can creep into unlikely places. From sippy cups to condensation pipes, mold can grow wherever there’s moisture. Unfortunately, people can have serious reactions to mold. Some people are simply allergic, and others develop respiratory issues over time after being exposed too long to mold.
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Mold is a common issue for many homeowners and renters. It is important to know how to prevent mold as well as when you need a professional to remedy your mold problem.
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This infographic is provided by 1-800 WATER DAMAGE.
Nature is designed to maintain balance. Animal predators keep overpopulation of species in check, which lowers levels of disease and other issues. Mushrooms, which are a part of the fungi family, help to aid the supply of nutrients, decompose and recycle. This is crucial in maintaining health and the cycle of life for many species.
Mold is also a fungi and has a purpose within the natural world. It is only when mold enters the home where nature is not at play that many harmful problems can arise. Mold takes root and thrives in areas that have moisture. Leaks and high humidity can cause conditions that encourage mold growth.
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Mold allergy is a common problem that affects millions of people across the globe, particularly children. However, adults are also susceptible to mold allergy. Mold is simply a fungus that grows rapidly in thousands and requires water and warmth to grow and multiply. Research studies have shown that at least one in every three children is allergic to mold. Some of the signs and symptoms of identifying mold allergy in children include:
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Damp is not only something that can cause issues with the walls, windowsills, door frames and damp – it can also be very bad for your health. The National Health Service have noted that babies, children and elderly people are the ones who are most at risk from damp. However, living in a polluted environment can cause serious health problems for anybody, it is therefore very important that you try to get rid of damp as early as possible.
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If you’ve never seen mould in your bathroom, you’re either a truly fastidious cleaner or you’re simply not looking hard enough. It’s one of the most common cleaning problems in the house. This is because the bathroom often provides the ideal conditions for mould to grow – much of the time there is warm, humid air and lots of moisture in a small space with little ventilation, and this is the best way for mould to grow.
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While winter may not see constant rain day in, day out, it’s nevertheless a challenging time of year for hill-bound households. Without the proper precautions and planning, your home may be susceptible to various rain-related problems – including mold.
Not only is it unsightly, mold’s effects run deeper than the aesthetic: mold has been known to cause irritated throats, congestion, coughing, eye discomfort, and skin issues. In some rare cases, it can even lead to infections in people suffering from serious problems with their immune system.
You want to protect yourself and your family from any frustrating smells or health concerns as much as you possibly can – and we’re going to help you!
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Condensation is an issue for every bathroom – it’s a humid environment where moisture is released into the air in an indoor environment by something as simple as taking a shower or a hot bath. Condensation forms when the hot steam meets cold air and surfaces, forming droplets on windows, mirrors and every hard surface. The hotter the water vapour, the more moisture the air can hold and the more condensation will be deposited on cold surfaces.
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If you’ve ever lived in an old house, chances are you’ve had some sort of encounter with damp. But, even poorly designed new buildings or internal water leaks can leave you facing a damp problem. Poorly ventilated bathrooms are often a haven for excess moisture in the home, and this can lead to a damp problem and mould growth. The tell-tale sign of a damp problem is often a musty, stale smell. On further inspection, a patch of affected wall or ceiling is usually found to have black mould (Stachybotrys chartarum) growing on it; a result of condensation. Mould is a fungus, and it’s the mould spores released into the air that are known to cause damp related illnesses.
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In a business setup, indoor mold growth is responsible for more than just nasty smells. Mold is a fungus that spreads through the ventilation and HVAC system, into the very air that you, your customers and your employees breathe.
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Water damage can occur in your home when you least expect it. Water damage can be costly to repair and nearly 1 million families have their homes ruined every year because of water damage. It is imperative to prevent water damage in your home and here are 9 ways to keep your home well-maintained:
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Mold can grow most anywhere with the help of several atmospheric conditions, as well as catalysts, such as water leaks, unkempt or neglected homes, and other homeowner or renter mistakes. But, in some cases, mold-growth can be the result of a specific career.
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It may not be the first location you think of when the topic of mold comes up, but in this hustle-bustle, quick-and-easy, on-the-go lifestyle that most of us have bought into, these six words could be the truth of an entire commuting and overworked generation: “I practically live in my car.”
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Whether you keep a tidy vehicle or not, mold is a persistent threat. Owners must be vigilant in the upkeep of their vehicles, in order to avoid what could become a costly issue, both financially and health-wise. The key is prevention—a routine defense strategy—but if mold is already present, salvageable remediation may still be possible.
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It is common knowledge that mold grows most frequently in rooms that serve as a basis for water use. The laundry room and dirty clothes hampers, in fact, are the ideal locations for mold to grow, as they generally provide mold spores daily access to a bountiful supply of decaying organic material (dirt, dust, sweat, food, urine, hair, body oils, etc.) to feed on and, in many cases, moisture.
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It is common knowledge that mold grows most frequently in rooms that serve as a basis for water use. The kitchen, in fact, is the ideal location for mold to grow, as it provides mold spores daily access to a bountiful supply of moisture to thrive in and decaying organic material to feed on.
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When it comes to mold, the most commonly discussed topics are moisture and the effects of mold on the health of the home’s residents. While moisture and health concerns are vital symptoms of mold that can’t be ignored, it is still important that the homeowner or renter be prepared to recognize the presence of mold long before excessive moisture and bad health set off alarms.
Think of your home like you would your own body. When you’re ill, your body displays symptoms that give clues as to what the root sickness is. Doctors can’t diagnose your illness, disease, syndrome, or disorder until they have considered all the symptoms and ruled out false causes. The same detective work should be done in relation to your home.
There are three symptoms—aside from moisture and health issues—that reveal the presence of mold in the home.
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In an article, titled HVAC Systems, Mold, and Homeowner Responsibilities, a brief overview of the function of the HVAC system as a whole and in collaboration with the homeowner’s preventative measures against mold were discussed. While many of the same concepts will be covered here, the purpose of this article is to equip the homeowner with knowledge concerning the maintenance of the forced-air central cooling system so as to shield the home even further from mold infestation.
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Within the walls, flooring, and ceilings of your domain, the HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning) system is busily catering to your specific comfort needs. Much like the circulatory or cardiovascular system of our bodies, the HVAC system regulates and monitors the ebb and flow of a home’s life sources: air and temperature.
A complete HVAC system is usually comprised of a “split system,” which consists of two separate devices: the “central cooling system” and the “central heating system.” In many cases, a home is equipped with only a central heating system, which could be due to the financial limitations of the original home owner, or because the climate in that specific area is generally cooler all year-round. In the case of a split system, however, both the cooling and the heating systems are “matched,” or paired. This means that they share the same ductwork and ventilation throughout the house and—depending on the type and configuration—both systems can actually work in sync with one another by combining specific processes, despite their seemingly contradictory functions.
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