If your home suffered mold or water damage, the last thing you’re probably thinking about is a dehumidifier. Even if you own one, it’s likely not the first item to come to mind when facing water and mold damage. However, it should be. Dehumidifiers are one of the most important machines used in mold damage mitigation.
If you own one, keep reading to learn more about why it’s useful in treating water damage. And if you don’t own one, don’t worry. Your mold damage mitigation professional will have one handy.
Here’s everything you didn’t think you needed to know about dehumidifiers and how they help with mold control.
What Causes Mold?
Let’s go back to basics. In the opening paragraph, we mentioned water damage. So how exactly does mold factor in?
Mold is usually caused by water damage. However, it’s not as simple as cause and effect. Though water damage can lead to mold, the right conditions also have to be present. This includes humidity and moisture. Water isn’t just water. Rather, water puts moisture into the air. Think of it as the condensation you see dripping off your air conditioner in the summer.
This moisture in the air, when combined with humidity, makes it incredibly easy for mold to grow and spread. In fact, mold can develop in as little as 24 hours after water damage. What’s worse: mold is able to grow on a variety of surfaces. Wallpaper? Yes. Paint? You bet. Wood? Yup, you guessed it. Paper? Unfortunately, yes. Because mold can survive on every surface, your entire room could be affected by it. This is true even if the water damage only occurred in one area. It’s because of this risk that dehumidifiers are used.
What is a Dehumidifier and How Does it Work to Mitigate Mold?
A dehumidifier is a machine designed to remove moisture from the air. Though what it does seems simple, dehumidifiers are actually pretty complex structures. They work by drawing in air, removing the moisture from it, and then recirculating it via a fan.
In terms of mitigating mold, a dehumidifier removes the moisture that fosters its growth and spread. Your mold damage mitigation team will plug one in after the room has been cleaned. Usually in cases of mold damage, your team will discard everything that’s damaged. Then, from there, they’ll disinfect the affected area. Though many household cleaners claim to treat mold, they only treat the surface. Your mold remediation tech will use the proper cleaners to really get in there.
Once they do, the dehumidifiers will be turned on to inhibit mold growth. It’s important to keep in mind that dehumidifiers are only designed to help with mold control. They are not designed to treat existing mold. That’s what your tech is for!
How Serious is Mold Damage?
The answer is that it depends. Most homeowners co-exist with mold and see little to no problem. For example, some black mold grows in the shower. However, that is in such limited quantity that it doesn’t always make a huge impact.
Larger areas of mold, on the other hand, are dangerous. If left untreated, homeowners can develop mold allergies. They may also develop respiratory conditions or notice their existing symptoms worsen.
Mold can also lead to common, but annoying symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, and headaches. In some cases, it may also lead to increased anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Mold is also especially dangerous around pets, infants, and the elderly. If you have mold in your attic, bedroom, or crawl space, don’t wait around. Instead, call a mold damage mitigation company.
A good rule of thumb is to check for mold soon after experiencing water damage. Having a company like PNW Restoration on standby is helpful. The right technician will treat water damage and help with mold control. Plus, they have dehumidifiers, which means you don’t have to go out and buy one. Mold damage mitigation is made easy when you hire the right crew to help!
Do You Have Mold? Let the Mold Damage Mitigation Team at PNW Restoration Help You!
At PNW Restoration, we take great pride in providing the very best mold damage mitigation services in Portland. We have years of experience treating mold. Whether the issue is big or small, you can trust that we have the tools and experience needed to mitigate it.
Despite how common mold growth is, it’s still a headache to deal with by yourself. And with PNW Restoration nearby, you don’t have to! Our services are highly recommended by residents throughout Oregon. We are proud to help residents of Aloha, West Linn, Portland, and beyond!
Call us today at 971-247-3470 to schedule your mold damage mitigation appointment. We’re here to help you triumph over mold.
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