You need to have an HVAC technician perform regular maintenance on your ventilation system in order to avoid damage to your health and the health of your family. Its not as drastic of a statement as you might think. Humidity in your home doesnt sound like that much of a big deal, but when it resides in the walls and in your furniture, it can easily turn into mold. If you have small children or elderly adults living in your home, they are especially susceptible to getting sick after breathing mold infested air. Those who have severe allergies and asthma will also have a hard time controlling their health problems when they breathe impure air on a regular basis. Usually, the humidity levels in your home should be between 30% and 50%, any higher than that and humidity could be a source for mold growth.
Though humidity is definitely a concern for mold growth, so are water leaks. Leaks can cause more than just an ugly spot on the ceiling when they occur. Leaks can permeate your walls, sometimes without you realizing they are doing so. Again, when these are not taken care of, your home is at risk for supporting mold growth.
So you know you need to have routine maintenance done, but what can you do in the mean time? Which places in your home are most susceptible to water leaks?
- Bathroom
- Garbage Disposal
- Sprinklers
- Attic
- Water Heater
- Air conditioning
Leaks that are easier to spot
While you might not be able to see the damage in the walls that is done by leaks, the source of leaks may be visible to you. You can check under your kitchen sink for leaks. If your garbage disposal is not working correctly, you can see water dripping in the space under your sink. Another simple precaution to protect your home is to make sure that your sprinklers are not hitting your house directly. Though this shouldnt cause a problem, since rain hits your home too, it is better to avoid problems where you can. As you might imagine, the bathroom is a great place to look for leaks in your home. That is the place where most of the water in your home gets used daily. Look for cracks in the caulk around the sink, toilet, tub, and shower. These cracks are failing to keep a watertight seal from your walls. However, if you live in a multi-family home, like an apartment building, leaks could be caused by your neighbor.
Leaks that are more difficult to spot
Leaks in your home can be a lot of trouble. If there are leaks in your roof, your attic could be a starting point for mold growth. If the attic is not a place you spend a lot of time in, which most of us probably dont, check and make sure there are no stains in the insulation. Also, your hot water heater can become rusty over time. The rust can cause cracks in the pipes, leaking water at various points in your home. It is best to check for deterioration every year, but on a more regular basis, check the drain pan and the drain line for the pan. If there is an excess of water in the pan or the drain line is clogged, you need to have an HVAC technician come out and take a look at it. The same thing can happen with your air conditioning unit. An HVAC technician can prevent algae and mold from building up in your hot water heater or your air conditioning unit. These technicians can solve problems when they happen, but they are useful in preventing problems before they happen as well. This is why routine maintenance is so important.
Taking action as soon as you find a leak will help you prevent mold from growing in the walls. Water in your walls wont just dry up and go away, no matter how long you wait. The damage will only get worse. Leaks can cause serious harm to your home and to your health if mold is allowed to grow. Get leaks fixed immediately and have an HVAC technician perform regular maintenance on your HVAC system to help keep your home clean and your family healthy. Ventilation is about more than keeping you comfortable, though it does that, too. Clear ventilation and leak precaution keep mold from spreading in your home.
