Recently I have been writing about what a smart home should have. But what defines a smart home is as much what it has as what it does not have.
What a smart home must NOT have are the three M’s —molds, mildew, and musty odors. These are clear indicators of high levels of moisture, which can be due to water leaks from the roofs, or gaps around windows and doors. Leaks can also come from water pipes, toilets, bathtubs, or showers. High indoor humidity due to normal daily activities such as drying clothes, cooking, and showering could cause moisture concentration in a certain area of the house, and thus can cause the growth of mold and mildew, and with them, musty odors. Water leaks can also cause structural damage, premature paint failure, and the rotting of wooden parts of the house, not to mention health issues from allergies and other respiratory ailments caused by mold growth.
The first step in elimitating mold from your house is identifying where moisture is coming from. If the problem is confined to a spot on the ceiling, wall, or nook, then it is probably due to a localized water leak. If concentrated on a large area, like an entire wall, room or hallway, then it is most likely due to persistent high humidity.
Localized leaks may be from water piping and leaky roofs, and most of the time these leaks need to be entrusted to professionals for proper repair procedure (so you don’t make it worse by messing with it). DIY jobs may be confined to sealing small leaks like caulking air gaps on door and window frames, and simple installation of weather strips. Reducing indoor humidity can be attained by using ventilation fans. Just ensure ventilation fans expel air directly outside. Additionally, dehumidifiers are cost-effective ways to remove moisture from the air in your home.
Once you’ve removed the source of moisture, it’s time to kill off those nasties. Depending on the severity, it could be as easy as spraying some cleaning chemicals, or a full-out effort that requires a professional to strip out and replace an entire wall.
Afterwards, it is imperitive that you keep moisture out and mold away. The Water Siren, with its 90-decible alarm, is perfect for alerting you to when leaks occur. It comes equipped with outputs to security systems, so you can easily integrate it with an existing hardwired security system.
To control humidity, integrate your HVAC system – sophisticated thermostats such as this one can measure and maintain safe humidity levels.
Learn more information regarding mold and moisture in your home from this EPA Brief Guide.
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