With summer quickly approaching and temperatures on the rise, smart homeowners will be thinking about indoor mold growth.
Connecticut summers are generally pretty humid, and that trend has been increasing steadily over the past few decades. With higher average dew points during the warmer months and a higher frequency of humid days, the conditions are optimal for mold spores to colonize and flourish inside your home or commercial property.
Both short-term and long-term exposure to indoor mold can lead to health problems for humans and household pets. This includes increased allergy symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and watery eyes, as well as more serious issues such as trouble breathing, skin rashes, headaches, and fatigue.
What is the ideal indoor humidity?
If the weather outside is starting to feel a little sticky, or soupy (as we like to say here in New England), the last thing you want is your indoor environment following suit.
Mold loves moisture, so it stands to reason that humid conditions are going to make it very happy. In fact, mold needs little else to grow besides a moist atmosphere, oxygen, and something to eat (preferably organic material). For this reason, keeping indoor humidity low is imperative for preventing mold growth in your home or business—but what is the ideal indoor humidity?
According to the EPA, you should aim to keep your indoor humidity below 60% relative humidity, and between 30% to 50% is ideal. Not sure how humid your indoor environment is? Home humidity sensors are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased at your local hardware or home improvement store.
In addition, keep an eye out for these signs of high indoor humidity:
- Excess condensation on windows and glass doors
- A damp, musty odor (especially on fabric/upholstery)
- Bubbling wallpaper or chipped paint
- Increased allergy symptoms in people and pets
- Food left out is spoiling more quickly than normal
Where are you likely to find indoor mold?
While we typically think about mold growth happening as the result of major water damage (such as from heavy storms, a plumbing leak, or a broken appliance), mold can grow just as easily when your indoor humidity is higher than normal.
Among the most common places to find mold indoors are bathrooms and kitchens, where running water is abundant and where food is prepared and eaten. However, other rooms are just as likely to harbor mold growth when rising temperatures and poor ventilation cause humidity levels to increase. This often includes:
And it goes without saying that if you see any visible signs of mold growth (e.g., dark spots or discoloration on your walls, flooring, or furniture), your humidity problem has already escalated into a full-blown mold problem—and it may be time to call a professional.
Simple ways to lower indoor humidity
If you are concerned about warmer weather and rising humidity, here are three simple steps you can take to reduce your your indoor humidity:
1. Improve your indoor ventilation.
Better indoor airflow will go a long way toward maintaining humidity levels within the recommended range. You can achieve this by monitoring your HVAC system to ensure it is running at optimal efficiency, opening windows and doors to increase natural ventilation, using properly vented exhaust fans in the bathrooms and kitchen, and using portable and in-duct air purification systems to keep indoor air clean and breathable.
2. Dry any leaks or water damage quickly.
Whether it is a small faucet leak in the kitchen or significant water damage to the basement, it is important to keep your indoor environment as dry as possible. Because mold can grow in just 24 to 48 hours, fast action is necessary. Find the source of the leak quickly and dry the area thoroughly (using heavy-duty fans if available) to prevent excess humidity and subsequent mold growth.
3. Check your insulation.
All that insulation throughout your home is not just there to keep you warm during the icy Connecticut winters. It also helps to control indoor humidity by regulating air temperature and preventing extreme changes in moisture levels. Investing in high-quality insulation, or adding extra insulation to areas prone to dampness (such as crawl spaces), is a great way to avoid excess humidity this summer.
Mold growth can happen in any season.
Although moisture levels in the air tend to increase during the spring and summer months, fluctuations in indoor humidity can happen all year long—which means the potential for mold growth is always there.
If you are concerned about rising humidity levels, or if you think you might have a mold issue in your residential or commercial property, call CT Mold Pros today at (203) 920-0265 or fill out our online form for a free assessment.
