Take a Stand Against High Humidity to Prevent Mold and Moisture Damage

The high humidity in Florida is more than just a comfort concern; it can create problems with mold and moisture damage in your home. It’s important to be aware of this potential issue and take steps to prevent it.

Relative humidity and condensation

Air that has high relative humidity is more likely to create condensation on surfaces. Relative humidity expresses how much water vapor is present in the air as a percentage of the maximum amount of moisture the air could contain. Cooler air can hold less water vapor, so even air that is below 100 percent relative humidity can create condensation on surfaces that are cooler than the air.

Mold and moisture damage

Mold spores are always present to some degree, but will not actually grow into mold unless conditions are favorable. There are a number of conditions they need to grow, but the easiest one to control in your home is the amount of moisture. Keeping relative humidity below 60 percent in the summer should help ensure mold spores don’t find an environment that’s conducive for growth. Mold growth is detrimental to indoor air quality and can damage building materials. Condensation itself can also cause damage to building materials in your home. Interior materials are not generally selected for their ability to withstand exposure to water, and may rot when damp or wet.

Prevention

Fortunately, effective strategies are available for reducing the humidity in your home. One is ensuring your A/C is appropriately sized. A/C is more effective at dehumidification when it’s not over-sized. Another is to limit the moisture created in your home. Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens, which are both spots with high humidity. If you have trouble keeping your home below 60 percent humidity this summer, you may want to look into dehumidifiers. Use portable models to control humidity in rooms or small areas, and a whole-house model for comprehensive humidity control.

For more more information on preventing mold and moisture damage, please contact us at NisAir Air Conditioning & Heating. We provide top-notch HVAC services to homeowners in Martin, Palm Beach, St. Lucie and Indian River counties.