Do You Need a Dehumidifier?

by Andrea Hermitt | More from this Blogger

06 Oct 2009 11:39 PM

Call us lucky. While the Georgia Floods eroded a foot or two of soil at the banks of my backyard creek, we only got a few inches of water in the house at the back door in the basement. A small puddle of water got inside during the rains. We were able to take care of the issue with a mop.

Still, the basement seemed to take on a wet, musty smell that lingered a bit too long for out tastes. The last thing we wanted twas to have to deal with mold. We purchased a dehumidifier and it smells alot better now. It is also pretty clear that we needed one as the water had to be dumped from it twice a day.

We knew that we needed one for a while as we noticed that smells seemed to linger in the basement... especially dog smells. Also, the basement just felt more humid than the rest of the house. Considering the increase in moisture in the air and in the basement after the floods, we could not put it off any longer.

Chances are, if you think you need a dehumidifier that you really need one. The more concrete signs that you need a dehumidifier are wet stains on walls and ceilings, stuffy rooms, rotting wood, window condensation, and increased allergic reactions. These are all signs of increased moisture in the home and a good reason to purchase a good quality dehumidifier.

Failure to purchase and use a dehumidifier when you need one will result in growth of mold and mildew and also the release of mold spores which can cause asthma and allergic reactions. Having a long term moisture issue in your home can cause major mold issues that will take tens of thousands of dollars to repair.

If you liked this you should also read my blogs at the homeschool blog, the parents blog, and the frugal blog. You can read my recent posts here.

Also read: Flood Health: Other Illnesses

Ten Things to Know About Mold Damage

Tips to Avoid Buying a Used Car With Flood Damage

Learn more about Andrea Hermitt

Andrea Hermitt is a native New Yorker currently residing in GA. She has been married for over 16 years and has two teenage children.

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