Anyone who has ever laid eyes on a mold problem in a home or has been the victim of one surely knows what a destructive and revolting thing it can be. Mold will warp drywall and turn your bathroom into an awful place to try and relax. One of the ways to control the mold would be to decrease the humidity level. The major question that consumers often ask in this regard is how much moisture they should exactly strip from the air, knowing well that humidity on too low a level can again create problems for the home and health. The key question is this: How much humidity does mold need to grow?

How much humidity does mold need to grow?

Mold needs humidity the way a plant needs rain. If there’s too little, then it just can’t grow. That’s why experts have set the advice that you keep humidity levels in your home at 55% or less. Mold needs 55% or higher humidity to be able to grow.

Also, remember not to reduce it below 30%. This can also bring about some health-related problems, such as dry eyes, nose, and skin, as well as worsen the condition of the lungs or skin. Moreover, it dries wooden floors and furniture and makes a house dusty, which fosters house dust mites and static electricity.

What should be the normal humidity level?

The correct amount of humidity levels should be about 30% to 50% based on the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA). Above this humidity is likely to show signs of molds. There is a high chance that your house is likely to get invaded by pests because of high humidity. 

Signs that indicate you have high indoor humidity

When you are indoors, you should look for a few signs that serve as key points to check for high humidity levels. If you notice these signs frequently, it could mean you have high humidity. 

• Foggy windows 
• Molds growing on the walls
• Mildew smells 
• Wood structures crumbling off
• Signs of allergies 
• Excess insects 
• Food spoiling quickly
• Sweating during sleep 

How to test your indoor humidity?

It is super easy to check for your current humidity. You can do this by simply buying a hygrometer from the store which will display the room temperature and the humidity levels. These devices are super handy as they give you an accurate reading. 

Causes for high humidity indoors

When you have a humidity over 50% of the normal humidity level, you need to know the reason for this. This could be either because of the climate outdoors which will result in increased indoor humidity. 

Poor ventilation in your home could be the reason for high humidity. Without proper ventilation, the air can not circulate in or out. Your daily activities could potentially increase the humidity in your house. Running electrical appliances such as washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers could be the reason for high humidity. Appliances that have evaporating coils will require air to run. As the air gets sucked inside these appliances, you are most likely to have high humidity levels in your house. 

Ways to Decrease Your Indoor Humidity Levels

Even if you have checked your humidity levels, many factors could raise the humidity levels. It could be easier to fix these problems if you know how to deal with them. 

Ventilation 

Ventilation is an important factor in the rise in humidity levels. Trapped water vapors gather inside your kitchen, laundry area, and bathroom which makes your room murky. Although you can get rid of the excess water vapors by opening up the window or turning on the fan, high outdoor humidity could hamper this process. You should use ventilated fans fitting in these rooms to quickly get rid of the humidity. 

Dehumidifier 

A dehumidifier could be your lifesaver when it comes to handling humidity. A dehumidifier is a device that lets you control your indoor humidity which doesn’t let mold and mildew grow. You should buy a dehumidifier considering your room size. 

Proper Insulation 

Insulation not only preserves the indoor temperature but also controls humidity. Try to keep your basement dry and patch up the crawl spaces. Keeping your rooms properly insulated will stop any moisture from leaking into your rooms as it is the perfect place for mold. 

Patching up wet areas 

You should always dry up after large spills of water as it could increase the humidity as it sits to dry itself. If your furniture gets wet, dry up as much water as possible and use a fan over the area. After 24 hours, mold can form on any wet surface.

Plumbing 

If your house doesn’t have proper plumbing, it could be the reason for the growth of mold. Pipes with leaks and cracks will lose water and keep the areas wet. These leaked pipes can increase the moisture in your basement and around the house. You should check for any damaged pipes and properly insulate them which will decrease forming condensation. 

How to treat mold areas?

You should always be on the lookout for dark spots and corners of your house where molds are likely to grow. If you find any trace or smell of mold, contact the professionals as soon as possible. It is important to look into the areas where mold is growing and how much it has already spread.

The experts would start the mold treatment processes which include killing the mold spores with a chemical solution. Then they will begin to eliminate the cause of the mold which could be wet areas or high humidity. 

Conclusion 

Hitting the ideal conditions could lead to a spike in mold growth around your house. If you have dark and damp places, those areas are at the most risk for mold growth. You should do a proper inspection of your house and check for the humidity levels in every room. Avoid drying clothes indoors and keep your plants outside that release moisture in the air.