Date:   4/20/2009 4:28:47 PM ( 15 y ago)
Hits:   2,544
URL:   https://www.curezone.org/forums/fm.asp?i=1401229

That is correct - mold needs moisture to survive; however, if you suspect there is a problem in your home or office you should have a professional identify the source and the extent of contamination in order that an accurate scope of work (to remedy the problem) can be written up. Failure to do so may leave micro-environments unattended, dispite your dehumidifiers efforts to control ambient air. An example of this would be a wet crawlspace. As a Council-certified Indoor Environmental Consultant, I've seen areas become polluted dispite occupant efforts to control humidity (with dehumidifiers or other "water-proofing" techniques) from moist crawlspaces. As the moisture and air pressure build up in the crawlspace, moisture and contaminants are forced into the occupied spaces of the structure (they stack upward). This can happen where you notice odors, where airborne particulate are distributed throughout the structure, or they just collect in the carpet cushion and floor covering materials (like carpet). In some cases the micro-environment on the surface (or within the material) of carpeting and cushion (and its subflooring) are much different that the humidity measured in the room's (ambient) air.

Another example is a room with improper ventilation. The Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) system doesn't distribute nor pick up the air properly allowing pockets of air to collect in a corner of a room. These pockets of air house moisture. When the water molecules slow down they become more available to the microorganisms in the air and in/on the building materials. This encourages growth of all kinds of microorganisms (bacteria and molds for example). I've seen this happen in areas where dehumidifiers are running as well.

Remedying a mold infestation (and preventing one) includes removing the source of moisture intrusion and the source of mold pollution. Once that is completed you'll have your home or office back to its normal ecological status.

Dehumidifiers can be a great way to assist you water-proofing systems and ventilation system in keeping a mold problem from occurring, but without the proper unit running within a proper ventilated environment, they may not be enough. You may just be diluting the problem until such time as it gets so bad it costs thousands of dollars to clean up (like the examples above did).

Just remember that dilution is never the final solution.

If I can answer any of your questions or direct you to someone that can help feel free to let me know and I'll do my best. I wish you all the best with your situation.
 

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