Even short-term residents of Topeka can tell you about the humidity that accompanies living here, but most people continue to underestimate the long-term effects on their homes. If you own a home or commercial building in the Topeka area, the chances are high that sooner or later, you will be dealing with the unpredictable nature of water damage – leading to mold growth. At Lamunyon Mold, we make it a point to ensure your home is protected from the grips of mold growth and to ensure that we provide expert mold dehumidification services in the Topeka, KS, area.
Is Mold Dehumidification Necessary For Your Topeka Home?
Water damage is one of the more common issues home, and property owners face, with varied and undesirable long-term consequences. As an owner, learning to deal with water damage is a lesson that too often comes from the school of hard knocks after a room has already flooded or a pipe has burst. And when a room has flooded, inadequate drying techniques could result in permanent damage, such as warped hardwood flooring or water seeping through cracks or into carpets.
If enough moisture builds up for long enough, the result might be a mold infestation and severe damage to your home’s foundation. Here is a list of some of the more pressing ways to tell that you need mold dehumidification for your Topeka home:
- Persistent Musty Odor
- Visible Mold Growth
- Condensation On Windows
- Allergy-Like Symptoms
- Water Damage History
Can Dehumidification Make A Difference For Your Home?
Purchasing a dehumidifier can help make mold harder to take a foothold in your home. As dehumidifiers work to pull the water from the air, they can lower the chances of mold finding the moisture it needs to thrive and survive. Without a way of finding water, mold will struggle to stay alive. Finding a dehumidifier that works for your situation minimizes the chances of mold thriving.
But dehumidifiers only fix the surface problem of excessive humidity in your home. It’s often only a part of the ideal solution. Dehumidifiers work best when paired with other ways to control mold.
We recommend investing in at least one other way to control mold:
- Proper Ventilation. If moisture buildup is caused by internal sources, such as leaky faucets, overloaded appliances, or damp basements, opening windows on low-humidity days mitigates the problem significantly. Investing in fans and fresh airflow will reduce the chances of mold and mildew taking root. It is also essential to ensure that all exhaust vents (from the dryer and the bathroom fan) are cleaned and unobstructed from going directly outside. (Also, run exhaust fans for several minutes after taking a shower.)
- Consistent Cleaning. Making it a habit to clean up every water source, from wiping up a spill in the kitchen to making sure the HVAC unit is cleaned, will go a long way in preventing moisture building.
- Waterproofing Basements And Crawl Spaces. Water in your basement or crawl space after a Topeka rain is always cause for concern. Leaving water to pool in those hard-to-reach places could damage expensive HVAC equipment or invite long-term mold problems. If the problem proves to be more than you can handle, our Lamunyon specialists are only a phone call away. Getting these murky areas professionally waterproofed should drastically reduce the humidity and chances of mold infestation in your home.
- Foundation Repair. Sometimes, moisture can slip in through the cracks in your foundation. If this is the case, more than a mold infestation is at stake. Neglecting foundation damage can have disastrous consequences for the longevity of your home. If you suspect your home’s high humidity levels are caused by damage to its foundation, then it is time to call the Lamunyon professionals.
Call Lamunyon Mold For Your Dehumidification Needs In Topeka, KS
Lamunyon Mold has trained experienced staff trained as dehumidification experts. The Topeka and the greater north-central Kansas area is our hometown, and we have been in business since 1973. Our high standard of excellence has been noticed by the Better Business Bureau’s rating of A+. We have worked with all types of insurance companies and have familiarity with every kind of claims process. We offer 24-hour phone service to all customers and potential customers with the best dehumidification process available for all. We know that water damage emergencies happen during the workday.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about our mold removal and mold testing throughout Topeka, KS.
Our phone is answered 24/7. Call us now: 785-503-3327! Our friendly, caring staff is excited to help you, and our certified mold remediation dehumidifier technicians are available to assist with your emergency water removal and mold dehumidification in Topeka, KS.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A dehumidifier is a mechanical device that removes humidity (water vapor) from the air.
Mold dehumidification works by removing moisture from the air, making environmental conditions less appealing for mold to spread. The mold dehumidification process does not completely kill the mold. It just reduces the chances of its growth and makes it dormant. However, that is only possible if the dehumidifier is set at optimum humidity levels (between thirty to fifty percent). If you need more clarification about the settings of the mold dehumidifier, contact a professional.
Dehumidifiers can potentially help save yourself thousands of dollars in costly mold remediation by preventing mold from growing in the first place. However, sources of moisture (i.e. leaking pipes, rain entering through a window or foundation wall, etc.) should be repaired first.
A good quality, properly sized dehumidifier should be able to constantly monitor and control humidity levels throughout the year.
Basements are typically the ideal location to place dehumidifiers in a Topeka home since these areas are more prone to mold and moisture damage. Ensure it is situated away from walls and furniture for proper air circulation. Regularly monitor and empty the water collection reservoir to maintain its efficiency in reducing excess moisture and preventing mold growth.
The effectiveness will be determined by the quality of the unit and size of the area it is rated for. Also, moisture sources (i.e. leaking pipes, rain entering through a window or foundation wall, etc.) should be repaired first, for the best results.
Insurance only covers mold dehumidification in Topeka, KS, when the source of the mold is a peril covered in your homeowner’s insurance policy. A standard homeowner’s insurance policy protects you from perils like sudden and accidental water damage, such as pipe bursts and water flow of a malfunctioning AC unit. Before you hire a mold dehumidification service in Topeka, KS, it’s better to ask your insurance agent if it will be covered by the policy, depending on the cause of the mold.
A mold dehumidification system costs around $1,000 to $3,000 (per dehumidification project) in Topeka, KS, with the average cost landing around $2,000. However, various factors play into the cost of mold dehumidification, including:
- Capacity: A dehumidifier that removes 130 pints of moisture per 24 hours costs over $2,000. In contrast, a dehumidifier that removes 70-80 pints per day costs around $1,500.
- Energy Efficiency: Central dehumidification systems are more energy efficient, as opposed to portable dehumidifiers. These energy-efficient dehumidification systems range between $1,600 to $3,500.
- Installation and Parts: Central dehumidification installation is generally more expensive than installing a dehumidifier for one room. That is because central dehumidification systems use expensive parts – the cost of filters can be between $20 to $25 per filter.
- Labor: Central dehumidification system installation can take around 6-7 hours. The cost of labor ranges from $75 to $250 per hour.
To know the exact costs according to your dehumidification needs in Topeka, KS, contact a mold dehumidification technician at Lamunyon Mold Inspection, Testing, & Remediation.
