Mold Damage In Daytona Beach -- Does Your AC Unit Match The Area To Be Cooled?

8/5/2017 (Permalink)

Matching HVAC Systems Helps Prevent Mold Growth in Daytona Beach--SERVPRO Tip

SERVPRO Offers Advice to Reduce Chances of a Mold Infestation

In a humid and hot area like Florida’s Atlantic Coast homeowners must be vigilant about interior moisture and the potential for mold growth. Many things impact resident’s success in keeping moisture in check. SERVPRO helps local homeowners deal with mold outbreaks and also consults with customers on ways to limit future outbreaks.

You recently installed a new air conditioning system hoping it would keep musty smells and mold damage under control. Humidity levels in your Daytona Beach house should remain less than 60 percent to minimize the potential for mold; many experts recommend a range of 30 to 50 percent. Although your space seems cool, humidity levels are high, and you still smell and struggle with mold. Our mold remediation teams are familiar with ambient humidity issues and their contribution to fungal growth even without other sources of water.
 
There are many steps residents take to keep water incursions and humidity in check, but matching the load of your air conditioning system appropriately is one you may not consider. If your system is too large, it does not cycle through the cooling phase long enough to remove enough humidity out of the air. Instead, it turns on and off frequently, making the air temperature cooler but not cycling for the length of time necessary to condense enough water on the coils to reduce humidity. The moisture meter readings SERVPRO workers take upon arrival to evaluate your mold troubles signal that the air conditioning is only doing one of its two crucial jobs -- cooling but not dehumidifying.
 
Another flag we see is residents running both AC and dehumidifiers. A properly operating and sized HVAC system does not need additional help from a continuously running dehumidifier. As we move on to contain and remove the mold, and then sanitize the areas, per EPA guidelines we recommend a consultation with an HVAC specialist who does calculations to determine what size and efficiency AC unit you need to cool and dehumidify your air.
 
SERVPRO technicians know for certain that if the humidity remains elevated the mold will return. We work with you to review your options with the ultimate goal being an air conditioning unit that carries the “load” of cooling and dehumidifying.
 
SERVPRO of South Daytona Beach / Port Orange has many resources available for residents coping with persistent mold issues. Call us at (386) 788-0358 to schedule an evaluation and estimate.

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