It’s the middle of March, and it won’t be long before those hot, humid days start sneaking up on us here in the Atlanta area. Hot temperatures are one thing, but that sticky humidity, sometimes referred to as “the air you can wear” is quite another. Not only does the outdoor air often feel suffocating, high humidity results in what some of us refer to as a “bad hair day” – ugh! What you may not realize is that humidity can cause problems indoors as well, one of the worst issues being mold. Our Roswell roofing professionals have a few tips to help you keep the mold and moisture out.

Know what the humidity level inside your home should be.

Ideally, you want to keep relative humidity between 30% and 50%, although anything below 60% is acceptable. Most home improvement and hardware stores carry meters designed to measure the moisture or humidity level in your home. If it’s above 60%, consider using a portable or whole-house dehumidifier during summer months to keep humidity levels low, and help prevent the growth of mold.

Condensation is often an indication of excess humidity, so if you notice moisture collecting on plumbing pipes, windows, or even the walls, take action immediately to determine the cause of the condensation and resolve the issue. Dry any wet surfaces promptly, and call in a professional.

Does water stand near your home or drain toward the foundation?

This is a real problem, as it can result in basement or foundation issues, not to mention mold. The ground should slope away from your home so that rain water goes in the opposite direction.

Make sure the rain gutters on your roof are cleaned regularly, and make any necessary repairs to ensure water is directed away from your roof and your home.

In addition to a dehumidifier, air conditioning helps control humidity.

When bathing or showering, open a window or turn on the exhaust fan.

Whether you’re cooking, running the dishwasher, or doing other tasks that can increase humidity levels, it’s a good idea to open windows and use exhaust fans.

Use ceiling, pedestal, or oscillating fans to increase ventilation in your home.

Keep your air conditioner’s drip pans and drain lines clean and unobstructed so that condensation can flow out properly.

Have the roof checked to make sure there are no loose shingles or flashing, as this can result in leaks into the walls, insulation, or attic of your home when it rains – and the growth of mold.

Literally any aspect of your home can be damaged by the growth of mold, whether the walls, around windows, floors, even the ceiling or roof. Water is the most damaging element of all, so keep humidity levels down as much as possible.

At Future Roof & Restoration, our Roswell roofers specialize in residential and commercial roofing, and water damage restoration. Call us today, and trust our team to restore your most important investment!

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