For many homeowners, mold can present a serious household problem. Chances are mold has invaded your home and spread to every nook and cranny. They can be behind your walls, in crawl spaces, and in other areas of your home.
Mold shouldn’t be ignored. It should be eliminated before it causes irreparable damage to your home and wreaks havoc on the health of those who live there. That’s why mold remediation is imperative, but it can be quite tricky. What, then, are your options when it comes to getting rid of mold?
In the next section, we’ll talk about what a humidifier does. When it comes to killing mold, the question is: will a dehumidifier do the trick?
Mold in a Nutshell
Let’s start with what mold is. In a nutshell, mold is a type of fungus that consists of small organisms found almost everywhere. It can be black, white, orange, green, or purple in color. It thrives in moist, dark environments. Aside from moisture, it also requires a food source. Mold can be seen in areas such as the basement, attic, bathroom, and laundry room. It’s usually something like wood, drywall, or even cotton.
If left unattended, mold spores can grow and spread rapidly to different corners of the home. As a result, they can damage your home’s structure. When the spores are inhaled, they can lead to serious health problems. That’s why mold should be eliminated from your home at all costs.
The Use of Dehumidifier
What is a dehumidifier for? Simply put, a dehumidifier reduces and maintains the level of humidity in the air. It is usually used for health or comfort reasons. It is also used to eliminate musty odor and to prevent the growth of mildew by extracting water from the air.
Here’s the catch, however. When you take a shower, hang your clothes out to dry, or wash the dishes, the humidity levels in your home will spike. The thing is, every time water evaporates in your home, it adds to the humidity. This is where a dehumidifier comes in; it will regulate the humidity in your home.
That said, a dehumidifier may also indirectly combat the growth of molds at home. We’ll learn more about that in the following section.
Dehumidifier Killing Mold
As mentioned, mold thrives in moist environments. Humidity can be a major source of moisture. This means that the higher the humidity level is at home, the greater mold’s chances are to grow in your home. All of this additional humidity creates the perfect conditions for mold to form.
That said, a dehumidifier can combat the growth of mold at home. This is how a dehumidifier becomes effective in combating mold growth.
The Bottom Line
Since humidity plays such a big part in the growth of mold, it seems natural to assume that a dehumidifier will take care of the problem. Please be advised, however, that burst pipes, flood-prone basements, and leaky roofs can also contribute to a mold infestation.
This means that a dehumidifier isn’t the only solution, nor is it a permanent one. The bottom line is, a dehumidifier can stop mold from growing, but it won’t kill existing mold outright.
If you’re looking for an asbestos & mold removal service in Calgary, get in touch with us today! We’re happy to help.