Property Management Company Advises Against Using Moisture Absorbers
News flash: It’s hot and humid in South Florida, especially in the summer. Homeowners do whatever they can to remove moisture from their homes because they know the damage and annoyances it can cause.
Humidity encourages the growth and multiplication of mold spores and causes wooden doors to swell, stick, and eventually deteriorate. Humidity also allows mildew to form on fabrics, resulting in the fabric staining, tearing, or shredding. Rust and oxidation also occur faster in humid areas, causing many items to corrode.
Vacant seasonal homes are particularly prone to moisture damage, so why do property management companies advise against using moisture absorbers?
What Are Moisture Absorbers?
Your basement, kitchen, and bathroom are usually hot and moist areas, and for that reason are very prone to mold and mildew growth. Moisture absorbers help to remove the moisture in these rooms by inhibiting the growth of mold and mildew. There are varies types of moisture absorbers, some more efficient than others, but all have advantages and disadvantages.
Silica Gel
Made from sodium silicate, this beaded or granular gel has a strong attractive effect on water molecules and is very effective at room temperature. Packaged in a vapor-permeable plastic, the gel gives up all the moisture it holds if the temperature rises above 104 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s very pricey, so uneconomical to use in large areas, and is highly toxic to both humans and animals.
Clay Absorbers
These moisture absorbers are very cheap, but their ability to absorb moisture is limited. They’re really not effective in hot and humid areas, so are not often used in Florida. Other alternatives to clay are coal, charcoal, rocks and rough gravel, but these are also not the most effective moisture absorbers.
Calcium Chloride
A mixture of calcium and chlorine, this moisture absorber is so effective that it’s often used in ship’s holds, as it keeps the goods dry for the duration of the voyage. It’s ideal for areas of high humidity but has the big disadvantage of being very corrosive. If a fan is used to circulate the air over the calcium chloride, the calcium chloride dust that circulates can cause lung disease.
Why Property Management Companies Discourage The Use Of Moisture Absorbers
Moisture absorbers are designed to move the moisture from the air, into a large container. You now have an open container with stagnant liquid in the room, the perfect breeding ground for mold to grow and spread.
Smaller containers also have disadvantages. They tend to fill quickly and need to be changed often, and this can end up being costly. The smaller containers can also spill easily, and the contents can stain the carpet or floor.
Hanging baskets may seem like the most user-friendly solution, but even a tiny hole in the bag can cause the substance to leak, resulting in a mess.
How Property Management Companies Manage Humidity In The Home
A property management company’s main purpose is to maintain the integrity of your home and contents, whether you are living in it full time or not. Seasonal homes are particularly prone to damage caused by humidity, so this is how we, at Nest Home Management, would do regular home checks and ensure that the excess moisture in your home, is managed.
- We open your windows, encouraging airflow. Increased airflow decreases humidity.
- Leaking pipes are
- We check for and fix any condensation on hot and cold-water pipes.
- Exposed plant-soil would be covered, preventing the water from evaporating into the air. All plants that release humidity after watering would be moved outdoors and taken care of there.
- Fans would be periodically turned on, allowing the air to circulate, and thereby removing excess moisture.
- The air conditioner (AC) would be switched on and set on the dry setting, to circulate the air. Turning it on at regular intervals also prevents mold from growing in the AC unit. AC filters would also be checked and replaced if necessary. Damaged air filters restrict air movement and also ultimately damage the unit.
Managing your home is our number one priority. At Nest Home Management we won’t allow humidity to damage your home, we are here to ensure that your home is the same, if not better, condition than when you left it.