Did you know that black spots on your bathroom walls are mould and musty odours in your basement are caused by mildew?
When it comes to mold and mildew problems, moisture is their enemy. By reducing and controlling the amount of humidity in your home, you can greatly inhibit the growth of mold and mildew.
This means that a dehumidifier may be just what you need to keep these allergens and mildew at bay.
What are mold and mildew?
Mould and mildew are fungus that thrive in damp environments. You can typically find mold and mildew growing on walls, ceilings, clothes and fabrics. Although mould and mildew are not the same thing, they both grow in moist areas.
Mold tends to appear fuzzy and may be black, green or even orange. Mildew, on the other hand, is flat and grey or white. As they grow, mould and mildew release small allergenic spores into the air. These spores can cause allergy symptoms and respiratory issues, so the quicker you can remove them, the better it is for your family’s health.
How does moisture cause problems?
Humidity, or moisture in the air, is the leading cause of mold and mildew growth. When there is excess water vapor in the air, it can settle onto surfaces in your home. You often find moisture problems in bathrooms, kitchens and basements.
Take a hot shower for example. All that steam raises the moisture levels in the air. If it doesn’t have anywhere to go, it will settle onto your walls and shower tiles. Not only will your shower have the perfect place for mold to grow, but so will the rest of your bathroom.
Poor ventilation and water leaks can cause the same issue. If you notice your home is constantly sticky or you see water on your windows from condensation, high humidity levels could also be causing comfort issues.
How does a dehumidifier work?
Dehumidifiers work by extracting moisture from the air. Humid air is drawn into the dehumidifier then passes over cold coils. When the air touches the coils, water vapor is converted to droplets of water. The water is collected in a tank that you need to empty or drain out through a hose.
Dry air is then pumped back out into the room, lowering the humidity level. Most indoor humidity levels should be between 30%-50% and a dehumidifier will help you achieve and maintain that range.
Many newer models have built-in meters that tell you the humidity percentage in the air. Some advanced units even auto-adjust their output. If humidity levels rise, the dehumidifier works harder. If levels drop, some models will turn off automatically.
How does a dehumidifier stop mold growth?
To grow, mold spores need three things: moisture, warmth and food. They thrive on organic materials such as wood, paper and cloth. There’s not much you can do about removing these materials from your home. Nor will you want to live in a cold house.
Since you can’t control moisture or temperature levels, you’re only left with controlling the moisture in your home. A dehumidifier will help you do just that. By reducing humidity levels in your home, you stop the mold growth cycle in its tracks. Without adequate moisture, mold spores won’t be able to grow. And any existing mold will have a hard time spreading throughout your home.
Don’t forget that dehumidifiers keep working to protect your home from mold. When you run your dehumidifier consistently during humid months you’re ensuring that mould won’t have the proper conditions to grow and take over your home.
Where should you use a dehumidifier in your home?
While the entire house can benefit from a dehumidifier, there are some rooms that need it more than others. Basements are number one on the list. Basements are naturally dark and damp because they don’t have a lot of ventilation. Also, since they’re underground, basements are surrounded by moist soil.
Your bathroom should be next on your list of rooms to place a dehumidifier. Taking a hot shower produces a lot of steam, which increases moisture levels in your bathroom. If your bathroom mirrors take hours to clear up after your shower, it’s time to let a dehumidifier work its magic.
Laundry rooms are another room that can benefit from a dehumidifier. Dryers and washing machines produce a lot of humidity. If you dry your laundry indoors, you are drastically increasing your home’s moisture levels. Since mold loves dark, damp spaces, your laundry room can easily become mold central.
Don’t forget about your bedrooms either. You spend a lot of time sleeping in your bedroom and high humidity levels can keep you awake at night. Not only will you and your family notice less allergy symptoms with a dehumidifier in your bedrooms, but most dehumidifier models are whisper quiet.
What health benefits will you see?
When you run a dehumidifier in your home and remove mould and mildew, you are improving your family’s health. A lot of people are allergic to mold spores. Typical allergy symptoms include: runny noses, coughing, sneezing and itchy eyes. Some people are even prone to more severe respiratory problems.
By running a dehumidifier, you and your family will breathe easier. You may even notice your allergy symptoms lessen. Children and older relatives will benefit from removing mould and mildew the most.
Better air quality = better sleep. You and your family will wake up rested and refreshed.
Protect your belongings
As if your family’s health wasn’t enough to motivate you to run a dehumidifier, mould can harm your possessions. Mold can stain your walls and ceilings as it grows. As it eats away at surfaces, mould destroys wood window frames and support beams. Not to mention, clothes and books develop a funky musty odour.
Belongings made of leather are vulnerable to mould and mildew as well. High humidity causes leather to grow mildew and crack. Electronics can be damaged as well. All that moisture in the air can cause corrosion on the inside of your electronics.
By running a dehumidifier, you can help prolong the life of everything in your home. Keep your clothes fresher, longer. You’ll save money by not having to replace belongings affected by mold and mildew.
Case Study: Dehumidifiers Help Control Mould in Schools and Office Buildings
When excess moisture causes mold growth indoors, drying out the air can help keep it from returning. The US EPA posted several case studies of actual schools where improper indoor humidity was causing mould and mildew to recur.
Here are excerpts from one school’s chronic mould problems:
- Persistent mould and mildew on walls and ceilings
- Mould odours impacting IAQ
- Higher rates of allergies and asthma in students
According to their study, investigators found that relative humidity frequently rose above 60%, particularly in basements, classrooms, and locker rooms.
The Remedy
Cleaning was not enough to prevent mould recurrence. They implemented solutions to keep humidity in check:
- School installed commercial dehumidifiers in affected areas
- Set-up ongoing monitoring
- Achieved and maintained indoor RH between 30%–50%
- Increased air circulation (to prevent moisture build-up on surfaces)
The Results
Areas where visible mold was growing no longer experienced recurrence.
- Air quality has improved.
- Odours were eliminated.
- Moisture build-up on surfaces was reduced.
EPA determined that since excess humidity was the source of the problem, it had to be addressed to prevent mold from growing back. Simply cleaning was not enough!
LINK: Read the Complete Case Study Here: https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-remediation-schools-and-commercial-buildings
MOULD FAQS: Dehumidifiers Can Help
Will a dehumidifier prevent mold growth?
Yes. If you keep humidity below 50% inside your home, mold doesn’t have the moisture it needs to grow. Remember, mold requires 3 things to grow: moisture, food, and warm temperatures. By eliminating moisture with a dehumidifier, you’ve already removed one of mould’s three growth requirements.
Does cleaning mold mean it’s gone for good?
No. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, if mould’s food source (generally wood, paper, and carpet) isn’t addressed, and moisture continues to persist, mould will eventually return…even after professional cleaning.
What should indoor humidity be to prevent mold?
The ideal indoor relative humidity is between 30% and 50%.
What about ventilation? Doesn’t that help prevent mold?
Ventilation can help reduce excess humidity by replacing stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air from outside. However, if the air is humid outdoors (which it is in southern New Jersey half the year!) or your home is soggy underneath, then ventilation won’t help. Additionally, vents don’t prevent moisture from forming on surfaces inside your home. A dehumidifier extracts moisture from the air, making them far more effective alone or along with ventilation.
Where should I put a dehumidifier to prevent mold?
Ideally, anywhere moisture accumulates indoors. These include:
- Basements
- Bathrooms
- Laundry rooms
- Bedrooms
- Closets
Will a dehumidifier help with allergies?
Did you know mold spores are one of the leading triggers for allergies? By keeping humidity below 50%, you’re also preventing mold spores in the air. Dust mites also thrive at higher humidities. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has even studied how damp indoor air affects respiratory health and asthma.
Can dehumidifiers remove mold from the air?
Dehumidifiers will not kill mold that’s already present on surfaces in your home. However, they will stop it from spreading and growing any further after you’ve cleaned up the problem.
Where should you start?
The best place to start is by buying a humidity meter. They’re very inexpensive and will let you know what areas in your home need a dehumidifier the most. Ideally, your humidity levels should be below 50%.
Once you know where you need a dehumidifier, pick one that is big enough for the room you need it in. Place your dehumidifier in the room that needs it the most and run it. Empty the tank or keep an eye on your drain line.
