Minimizing Miami Mold Damage as the Weather Warms

2/26/2018 (Permalink)

Uncaulked windows and doors can allow moist, warm air into your home causing condensation that can result in mold growth.

SERVPRO Can Help To Remediate Mold Damage and Help to Prevent Future Mold Growth

Homeowners in Miami do well to prepare for the warmer spring and summer months. Adjustments that work to prevent or minimize the risk of mold growth as the temperature and humidity soar should be part of your seasonal routine. We definitely can help with remediation if microbes win a battle, and have recommendations to reduce the chance of mold issues returning afterward.

Miami homeowners can unwittingly encourage mold damage as they ready homes for hot and humid conditions. Mold thrives only when exposed to a source of moisture, encompassing not only the lingering effects of water damage but also including interior humidities of higher than 60 percent. Closing windows helps keep the heat outside but limits the ventilation needed to promote the good air circulation that maintains lower ambient humidity. We suggest improving air flow through the consistent use of exhaust fans in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. Checking the lint traps and ensuring a clear duct to the outside for your clothes dryer also reduces mold-friendly humidity levels.

When called to a mold damage scenario in South Florida, SERVPRO workers always check for condensation problems. Uncaulked windows and doors allow moist and warmer air to enter your home, resulting in moisture condensing on cooler window sills and door frames. Mold spores already in the home or hitching a ride inside absorb even those few drops or filming of water in those areas, growing to a rapidly multiplying colony in just days. Upgrading weatherproofing can help, including evaluating how well your insulation is protecting your interior walls from heating up enough to condense moisture from the cooler interior air.

SERVPRO technicians train extensively in moisture monitoring and use hygrometers to determine the moisture content of the air and building materials. We work with you to reduce air moisture levels inside to between 30 and 50 percent. To accomplish this, we urge the consistent use of dehumidifiers and properly cleaned, well-maintained, and appropriately sized air conditioners. Air conditioning, whether employing central or window units, reduces humidity through the use of condenser coils. Humid air feels hotter and stickier; pulling moisture out through AC applications makes the air quality more comfortable and eliminates a fuel source for mold growth.

Although SERVPRO of Cutler Bay is always ready to perform effective mold remediation for members of our community, our mission is to assist you in avoiding the conditions that cause fungal outbreaks during the summer months. Call for an inspection at (305) 278-8484, and we look forward to devising a summer mold damage mitigation plan for you.

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