This month South Florida has seen a higher-than-average rainfall and with the humidity of the warmer weather months conditions are ideal for mold to thrive.
With all this precipitation, it is increasing important to prevent moisture from causing mold damage in our homes and offices. We recommend people put a dehumidifier in the home which will help the air-conditioning run more efficiently throughout your home and office and therefore control humidity levels.
If there is water intrusion in your home, and you are lucky enough to discover it within the first 24-48 hours, use a combination of fans & dehumidifiers to dry it out as quickly as possible.
If mold appears, fixing the source of the problem is imperative. To identify your source of intrusion and mold spores, call a certified & licensed mold investigation company.
Remember, your personal safety needs to be considered when mold spores become air borne.
The Centers for Disease Control cites a 2004 Institute of Medicine Study and World Health Organization literature from 2009 that supports a link between large amounts of mold and mild to severe reactions, including headache, nasal congestion and respiratory complications.
The CDC lists guidelines to restrict mold growth, including:
- Keep humidity levels between 40 and 60 percent in the home.
- Use dehumidifiers and air-conditioners.
- Fix roof, wall and plumbing leaks.
- Remove water-logged carpets and dry flooded areas within 24-48 hours after the occurrence.
- Make sure exhaust fans are installed in areas of high humidity such as kitchens and bathrooms.