Prevent Bathroom Mold by Making Sense of Humidity

2/2/2016 (Permalink)

A hot, steamy shower soothes achy muscles, washes away grime and just plain feels delightful. It also raises the humidity level in your bathroom, which can create an ideal environment for mold and mildew.

Preventing Mold With a Bathroom Exhaust Fan
Many people mistakenly believe that the exhaust fan in the lavatory is there to whisk away unpleasant odors. While they can help with that, these fans actually serve a much larger purpose. Bathroom exhaust fans draw the moisture-laden air that fills the room after a steamy shower or hot bath out of the lavatory, bringing the room’s humidity down to a healthier level. This is a vital step in preventingmold growth and averting mold damage.

Why a Humidity Sensor Can Help
Is your exhaust fan up to the challenge? The answer may depend on how you use it. Most people turn the fan on when they enter their bathroom to shower and turn it off when they leave. Unfortunately, this does not always give the exhaust fan enough time to evacuate the steam and humidity. Ideally, the fan needs to run until it the moisture level in the bathroom is back to normal. You could just leave the fan running and come back later to turn it off, but you run the risk of forgetting it. This wastes energy and can shorten the lifespan of the exhaust fan. Instead, consider installing a humidity sensor. The sensor will automatically cut the fan off when the correct humidity level is restored. It is an easy way to preventmold damage.

Dealing With Mold
If you find that you have a mold issue in your bathroom, do not attempt to handle it yourself. Disturbing the mold may facilitate its spread. Instead, turn to the experts. Technicians have the training, specialized equipment, and protective gear to address mold damage. They can inspect the area, identify the source of moisture, contain the mold, remove it, properly cleanse your belongings and restore a healthy environment.