Is Dehumidification Necessary for Your Topeka Home?
Even short-term residents of Topeka can tell you about the humidity that accompanies living here, but most people continue to underestimate the long-term effects on their homes. If you own a home or commercial building in the Topeka area, then the chances are high that sooner or later you will find yourself dealing with the unpredictable nature of water damage.
Water damage is one of the more common issues home and property owners face, with varied and undesirable long-term consequences. As an owner, learning to deal with water damage is a lesson that too often comes from the school of hard knocks, after a room has already flooded or a pipe has burst. And when a room has flooded, inadequate drying techniques could result in permanent damage, such as warped hardwood flooring or water seeping through cracks or into carpets.
If enough moisture builds up for long enough, the result might not only be a mold infestation but severe damage to the foundation of your home.
The Connection Between Moisture and Mold
In straightforward terms, mold needs three things to grow. It needs organic material (wood, drywall, building materials, etc.), a comfortable temperature, and moisture. There is a tiny amount of harmless mold in the air everywhere already, but the right conditions can make for explosive growth inside the walls of your home.
The ideal conditions for mold to grow are those warmer, high humidity days. When the humidity rises to above 40 to 60 percent humidity, there is enough moisture inside your home for mold to thrive.
When mold makes itself at home in your building, it can be challenging to evict it. Always check bathrooms, basements, and unused rooms in the house regularly for moisture buildup.
Can Dehumidification Make a Difference for Your Home?
Purchasing a dehumidifier can help to make it harder for mold to take a foothold in your home. As dehumidifiers work to pull the water from the air, they can lower the chances of mold finding the moisture it needs to thrive and survive. Without a way of finding water, mold will struggle to stay alive. Finding a dehumidifier that works for your situation minimizes the chances of mold thriving.
But dehumidifiers only fix the surface problem of excessive humidity in your home. It’s often only a part of the ideal solution. Dehumidifiers work best when paired with other ways to control mold.
We recommend investing in at least one other way to control mold:
- Proper ventilation. If moisture buildup is caused by internal sources, such as leaky faucets, overloaded appliances, or damp basements, opening windows on low humidity days, mitigates the problem significantly. Investing in fans and fresh airflow will reduce the chances of mold and mildew taking root. It is also essential to ensure that all exhaust vents (from the dryer and the bathroom fan) are cleaned and unobstructed from going directly outside. (Also run exhaust fans for several minutes after taking a shower.)
- Consistent cleaning. Making it a habit to clean up every water source, from wiping up a spill in the kitchen to making sure the HVAC unit is cleaned, will go a long way in preventing moisture building.
- Waterproofing basements and crawl spaces. Water in your basement or crawl space after a Topeka rain is always cause for concern. Leaving water to pool in those hard-to-reach places could damage expensive HVAC equipment or invite long-term mold problems. If the problem proves to be more than you can handle, our Lamunyon specialists are only a phone call away. Getting these murky areas professionally waterproofed should drastically reduce the humidity and chances of a mold infestation in your home.
- Foundation Repair. Sometimes moisture can slip in through the cracks in your foundation. If this is the case, there is more than a mold infestation at stake. Neglecting foundation damage can have disastrous consequences for the longevity of your home. If you suspect that your home’s high humidity levels are caused by damage to its foundation, then it is time to call in the Lamunyon professionals.
Call Lamunyon for Your Dehumidification Needs
Lamunyon Dry Out and Foundation Repair have trained, experienced staff trained as dehumidification experts. The Topeka and the greater north-central Kansas area is our hometown, and we have been in business since 1973. Our high standard of excellence has been noticed by the Better Business Bureau’s rating of A+. We have worked with all types of insurance companies and have familiarity with every kind of claims process.
We offer 24-hour phone service to all customers and potential customers. We know that water damage emergencies happen during the workday.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about our mold removal, mold assessment, mold inspection, mold remediation and mold testing, basement waterproofing, crawl space encapsulation, and foundation repair throughout Topeka.
Our phone is answered 24/7. Call us now: 785-503-3327! Our friendly, caring staff is excited to help you, and our certified technicians are available to assist with your emergency water removal.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A dehumidifier is a mechanical device that removes humidity (water vapor) from the air.
A dehumidifier is a mechanical device that removes humidity (water vapor) from the air and condenses the vapor into liquid water which can then be removed from the area, typically down a drain. Some dehumidifiers come equipped with a pump to help eject water from the dehumidifier to a drain.
A dehumidifier will not remove mold and mildew but can help control the environment in such a way to help prevent mold from growing in the first place. If building materials are coming in direct contact with water, however, a dehumidifier will be of limited use when it comes to preventing mold growth.
They can potentially help save yourself thousands of dollars in costly mold remediation by preventing mold from growing in the first place. However, sources of moisture (i.e. leaking pipes, rain entering through a window or foundation wall, etc.) should be repaired first.
A good quality, properly sized dehumidifier should be able to constantly monitor and control humidity levels throughout the year.
Basements are typically the ideal location.
The effectiveness will be determined by the quality of the unit and size of the area it is rated for. Also, moisture sources (i.e. leaking pipes, rain entering through a window or foundation wall, etc.) should be repaired first, for the best results.
Dehumidifiers vary greatly in cost depending on quality and size. Be prepared to spend around $1,700 for a quality “Made in America” premium grade unit. Amazon specials can be found for around $400, but they usually do not perform as well or last as long as a quality, more expensive unit. When it comes to dehumidifiers, you do “get what you pay for.”