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check humidity crawl space sonoma

How to Moderate Humidity In Your Crawl Space

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In warm climates like Santa Rosa, keeping an eye on the humidity levels in your crawl space is important for a few good reasons. High crawl space humidity means moisture is usually present, creating an environment that is ripe for mold formation and growth, as well as rodent infestation. Rodents are attracted to warm, damp spaces that are protected from the elements. They can leave urine and fecal droppings containing germs that can exacerbate asthmatic or allergic conditions. A ventilated crawl space in a humid climate has a greater potential for mold growth than an unventilated space because vents allow moisture in the air to travel into the home, bringing with it dust mites and any other potentially harmful contaminants that might be present. The moist air can put stress on crawl space beams, causing rot in some cases, and seriously damage insulation, which weakens the structure of a home. Rodents can also travel through vents, and they can nest in your insulation or gnaw on electrical wiring, creating a potential fire hazard.

Insulate Properly 

It is recommended that insulation humidity levels remain lower than 70% in crawl spaces to limit the amount of moisture that is present. If moisture is prevalent in a crawl space, the tiny pockets in fiberglass insulation tend to fill with water, and any energy that might be retained is transferred instead, rendering the insulation ineffective. Using foam insulation as opposed to fiberglass in your crawl space can help to reduce the likelihood of excessive moisture as well as the transference of energy. HVAC units work harder, and energy bills rise.

Control Condensation

When condensation is visible on crawl space fixtures, your humidity level is too high for the air to hold the moisture in it. The space will become damp, inviting mold to grow and decreasing air quality in your home. Asthma or allergy sufferers will be the first to know that there is a problem. To avoid this, moisture controls like vapor barriers can be installed in foundation walls to seal out the moisture. Covering vents and doorways with waterproof covers prevents damp air from seeping in. A dehumidifier can also be used to help maintain low humidity and control condensation.

Check Humidity Regularly

A device called a hygrometer measures the humidity in a space. You can purchase one at Wal-Mart or Lowe’s for a reasonably low price to monitor both temperature and humidity in your crawl space. Check it regularly to ensure that humidity is not becoming too high.

If you experience problems with mold or rodent infestation due to high humidity, contact RCS to help. Our crawlspace cleanup service is the perfect ticket for drying out or decontaminating your space. We can also install moisture barriers to prevent the problem from occurring again any time soon.

bathroom Santa Rosa CA

Mold In The Bathroom? Don’t Neglect The Fan

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Most bathrooms have that extra switch on the wall to activate a fan on the ceiling, but it doesn’t seem to do much but add a constant hum. In fact, that tiny fan ventilates the bathroom, removing: humidity, odors, and other pollutants.

While the improved air quality might be enough (no one likes a smelly bathroom!), its most powerful effect is that of removing humidity when taking a shower. This subtle service acts to prevent moisture from collecting within the bathroom, potentially creating mold and the broad range of damage mold can cause.

The Dangers of Mold in Your Home

Mold (and its white counterpart) is a fungus that can collect on your shower curtain, drains, walls, floors, and appliances. Beyond just touching it, inhaling mold spores can cause problems to those who are sensitive to it (children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems). These problems include:

  • Allergic Reactions: rashes, runny nose, sneezing, and red eyes.
  • Fever and difficulty breathing.
  • Infections.

Mold grows when its tiny spores land in a moist environment and are given the time to reproduce (this is most dangerous when you can’t easily spot the mold). You should try your best to be aware of the areas where moisture is likely to collect: the kitchen, laundry room, bathroom, and outside of the house where water collects.

How to Prevent Mold

The best tips to are to keep areas dry with rugs or towels, improved air-circulation (by fans and open doors), and using dehumidifiers. Ask a professional contractor to ensure your air ducts are operating appropriately, check and fix leaks, and adding insulation.

But for your bathroom, the key is the innocuous fan on the ceiling; if you properly maintain it, then you drastically reduce the chance for mold to grow and damage your family and home.

  • By vacuuming the fan and clearing any dust from it, you can ensure proper ventilation.
  • Once a year, you should disconnect the electricity to it, remove the grate, and wash it with soap.
  • Then dry the grate, put it back in place, and turn the power back on.

Living Mold-Free (Or At Least Trying)

These tips can help you prevent mold, but it’s more common than you think and the damage it can cause is severe. In the case of mold damage, you probably have water damage as well, so find a local Santa Rosa, CA mold remediation company to come in and ensure your home is safe for you and your family, while preventing the costly repairs from increasing.