High humidity levels can contribute to the growth of mold in your home. High humidity in a home can lead to mold and mildew contamination, especially during wet seasons. It is important to monitor these humidity levels and take steps to reduce them if they become too high. Prevention is the most important aspect in keeping mold at bay. Outlined below are some suggestions to help monitor and decrease humidity in your home.
1. Determine if your humidity levels are high
An indoor humidity monitor can help distinguish if you need to reduce your levels. The EPA suggests reducing humidity levels to 30-60% indoors (ideally 30-50%) to decrease and prevent mold growth. Condensation on or around windows is a good indication that moisture levels are too high. Act quickly to remedy the situation before mold begins to take root and becomes a much larger issue.
2. Increase ventilation
Be sure to use properly vented exhaust fans while cooking and dish washing, etc, to reduce the moisture in the air. Ensure that ventilation throughout the home is adequate and used, especially in the bathroom.
3. Buy a dehumidifier
If you live an an area with high humidity, or you just can’t seem to get the levels under control in your home, an adequate dehumidifier may be needed to prevent mold and mildew growth in your home. Make sure you purchase one that will cover the square footage necessary.
Elevated humidity levels are not the only measures that should be taken when trying to reduce the chances of mold growth in your home! Common areas like bathrooms, kitchen sink cabinetry, interior walls that share common walls with the exterior, attics and basements should be checked periodically for mold growth since mold likes to hide in dark damp places.