Air Conditioning And the Complicated Relationship With Mold in a Santa Rosa Beach Property

5/24/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Says Less Humidity Can Mean Less Mold Remediation

SERVPRO Tips to Reduce Mold Infestations in Your Home

In humid areas like the Gulfside panhandle of Florida, homeowners know air conditioning helps limit mold damage. Sometimes even reliable operation of A/C fails to reduce humidity enough to avoid all mold growth. SERVPRO mold remediation technicians safely contain and remove the outbreak, and then share strategies to achieve optimum relative humidity.
 
Air conditioning is a fact of life in Florida, but often so is mold damage in your Santa Rosa Beach home. Even when you are unaware of any leaks or another water incursion you smell the musty odor that signals mold spore proliferation. Give our mold remediation team an invitation to consult with you about both removal and prevention of new outbreaks in the future. The key may be more efficient air conditioner operation with regard to dehumidification.
 
SERVPRO locates the mold colony inside your home and then contains the area with barriers and negative pressure air scrubbers if the infestation warrants it. The mold and any porous material it infiltrates must be removed and properly discarded. After disinfection of the affected area is complete, our technicians look for the source of moisture that activated the spores.
 
In extremely humid areas the relative humidity (RH) inside your home causes mold damage without help from leaks or flooding. An RH reading of over 70 percent supports mold growth. We recommend you diminish the level to somewhere between 30 and 50 percent. Although air conditioning systems contribute to reducing RH in theory, we measure moisture levels with a hygrometer to ensure the AC is lowering the air moisture in your home.
 
A balance between the compressor operation and the fan speed and duration must exist. If the fan runs for several minutes after the compressor shuts down the condensed water may be blown back into your home, raising the moisture level. Using the “automatic” cycle rather than the “on” cycle helps achieve the balance, and is a solution to reduce interior humidity recommended by experts. Keeping interior doors open, including closets, helps normalize the cooling and dehumidification balance. Check to see if your AC has an enhanced moisture removal cycle and use it.
 
SERVPRO of N. Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes & Washington Counties is your first defense against persistent mold growth within your home. Call (850) 267-0746 if you suspect a mold infestation and schedule an inspection and consultation. Visit the area: http://www.visitsouthwalton.com/beaches/santa-rosa-beach