Tips For Dehumidifier Use In Your Home

Why Use A Dehumidifier? 

In order for your home to be thoroughly protected from mold, it is imperative that you are aware of the damage that excess moisture can cause. When a home experiences excessive moisture and humidity, it creates the potential for mold development. Your home will always be vulnerable to moisture, thus is the nature of owning a home. There are certain circumstances that you can not prevent, such as flooding and natural disasters. However, there are steps you can take to lessen the moisture within your home by using dehumidifiers. Areas that experience excessive humidity will especially benefit from this. These areas include basements, attics, bathrooms, and kitchens. It is very important that these areas are not only properly ventilated, but that the humidity levels are controlled as well.  These dehumidifier tips will help ensure proper usage so you get the most efficient use out of your unit.

Mold can not only cause severe damage to your home, but it may also pose a potential threat to you and your family’s health. While everyone’s immune system reacts differently to mold, it is good to keep this in mind should any issues arise. In order to avoid these potential issues, a good way to defend against moisture in your home is by employing the use of dehumidifiers. The proper dehumidifier for the size of your space can help keep mold at bay by removing excess moisture from the space. If you are unsure about the proper use of a dehumidifier, these tips can help clear up any confusion and show you what you can do to get the most out of your dehumidifier.

Dehumidifier Tips

To keep your dehumidifier in peak condition and have it working efficiently, there are just a few simple steps you can take. 

Vacuum The Area Prior To Use 

It is important that you vacuum the space before introducing your dehumidifier. This keeps the dehumidifier’s filter in good condition for longer, so you don’t have to replace it as often. Vacuuming the area before using the unit will also prevent the dehumidifier from spreading dust around the area. The spreading of dust can ignite allergies in people who suffer from sensitivities. 

Keep Humidity Levels Steady

The ideal humidity range for an indoor environment should be between 35%-50%, 35% being most ideal. If you own items that need to be protected from certain moisture levels, ensure that they are kept in a safe place. Items such as guitars require a certain level of dryness so as to not warp the wood. You may be unsure if you have an item that may be damaged by these humidity levels. Make sure you employ the help of an expert on this particular item to clear things up for you. While you do want to protect the integrity of your home, you want to ensure that your possessions are safe as well. 

Emptying The Water Tank 

If you don’t empty the water tank of your dehumidifier, it may be at risk of shutting off without you noticing. You need your dehumidifier to be in good working order so that it can serve its purpose. Emptying the water tank of your dehumidifier should be done on a regular basis. The water tank should also always be emptied before moving the dehumidifier to a different area. This prevents spillage, which can then add more moisture back into your home, defeating the purpose of the dehumidifier. 

Use During Activities With High Moisture Content

Activities such as showering, cooking, or doing laundry give off a lot of steam and excess moisture. When doing these activities, it is imperative that your dehumidifier should be running the whole time. This prevents that moisture from becoming stagnant in the area. Even if these areas do have proper ventilation, it is always helpful to keep the dehumidifier up and running for extra protection.  

Don’t Crowd The Unit

In order for your dehumidifier to work efficiently, keep it away from any walls or furniture in the area. This may require a little bit of rearranging. However, it is well worth it to protect your home from the threat of mold. You should also have all doors and windows closed while the dehumidifier is in use. This will isolate the area you are trying to dehumidify. 

We hope that these dehumidifier tips will be helpful in your journey to protect your home from mold. If you’ve followed these tips and still suspect that there may be a mold issue within your home, don’t hesitate to contact a professional mold inspector in your area. They will be able to clear up any worries you may have. The inspector may even be able to answer some more questions you have about proper dehumidifier use.