Improving Indoor Air Quality in Greater Green Bay Homes

Even if you can't control the outdoors, you can control the air quality within your own home. Your home's indoor air quality (IAQ) has a direct impact on your health and comfort, for better or worse. With a high-performance dehumidifier, air purifier, and patented waterproofing system from Sure-Dry, you can have a healthier home.

Health Effects from Poor Indoor Air

Health effects from indoor air pollutants may be experienced soon after exposure or, possibly, years later.

Sometimes the treatment is simply eliminating the person's exposure to the source of the pollution, if it can be identified.

Why install a dehumidifier or other indoor air quality solutions?

• Mold

  Dehumidifiers pull moisture from the air, condensing it into water and collecting it in a reservoir before releasing dry air into the room. Because mold spores need a damp surface to settle and grow, removing excess moisture with a dehumidifier makes it harder for mold colonies to form. An air purifier supports mold prevention efforts by using a specialized filter to capture and prevent mold spores from circulating in the air. This keeps mold spores from settling on surfaces and growing. By controlling humidity levels and purifying the air, you can take a proactive approach against mold growth and reduce the likelihood of dealing with the effects of harmful mold and the cost of mold remediation in the future.

• Insects

  Insects like cockroaches, silverfish, and centipedes are attracted to damp, humid spaces like basements and crawl spaces. A dehumidifier can help prevent insect infestations by lowering humidity and creating an environment less favorable to their growth and survival. An air purifier also makes a less inviting environment for insects by trapping allergens, organic matter, and other airborne particles that they may be attracted to. Although dehumidifiers and air purifiers can help reduce insect infestations, they should be used with more comprehensive pest control efforts.

• Airborne Bacteria

  Bacteria require moisture to survive and reproduce. High humidity levels contribute to the formation of water droplets in the air that bacteria can attach themselves to and become airborne. A dehumidifier reduces excess air moisture, contributing to a healthier indoor environment. By maintaining optimal humidity levels, a dehumidifier reduces the conditions that promote bacterial growth.

  An air purifier also helps create a healthier home by capturing and eliminating bacteria and other contaminants from the air, preventing them from moving through the HVAC system and being distributed throughout living areas.

  Using a dehumidifier and an air purification system effectively addresses the source (humidity) and the contaminants (airborne particles) contributing to a bacterial presence. Reducing airborne bacteria creates an indoor environment that promotes better respiratory health and reduces the risk of infections.

• Foul Odors

  It's common for below-grade spaces like basements and crawl spaces to have musty, foul odors. Fortunately, there are ways to remove unwanted smells and create a healthier indoor environment. Odor control is especially effective when a dehumidifier is used with an air purification system. The two work together to eliminate unpleasant smells by targeting the source of the odors and the contaminants that contribute to them.

  The dehumidifier offers moisture control, reducing basement humidity and making it difficult for mold and mildew to grow and emit odors. A basement air purifier uses activated carbon and HEPA filters to capture and neutralize volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and airborne particles that contain odors. By using these two indoor air quality solutions together, you can better tackle the root causes (moisture and contaminants) of foul odors.

• Allergies or Asthma

  Individuals with allergies or asthma can benefit from using a dehumidifier and air purifier to clean the air and create a healthier indoor environment. While each solution targets different aspects of indoor air quality, both can help significantly reduce allergies and asthma symptoms.

  A dehumidifier helps eliminate excess moisture and humidity that can lead to common allergens and asthma triggers like mold and dust mites. An air purifier helps clean the air, using special filters to capture mold spores, dust mites, pollen, pet dander, smoke particles, and other irritants. These two systems together can better target moisture-related allergen sources and airborne irritants.

• Humidity Issues

  A dehumidifier and air purifier can help manage humidity in indoor environments. While both indoor air quality solutions target different aspects of humidity control, they both work to create a healthier, more comfortable living space.

  A dehumidifier reduces excess moisture by pulling humid air into the unit, condensing it into water, and releasing dry air back into the room. This process helps prevent mold and mildew growth, eliminates condensation from forming on windows, walls, and other surfaces, and improves indoor comfort and air quality by reducing the spread of airborne contaminants. An air purifier supports humidity control efforts by reducing airborne particles that can contribute to humidity-related problems. Although you can use one or the other, combining these solutions offers a more comprehensive approach to humidity control and improving indoor air quality.

Indoor Air Quality Concerns from Wet Basements

Did you know that most indoor air quality issues start (and stop) in your basement or crawl space? And it's vital to do everything possible to safeguard your and your family's health, especially for those with asthma, allergies, or other respiratory issues. Here are the most common airborne hazards associated with wet basements:

Mold

Mold typically grows in dark, wet areas with organic materials present, including timber, drywall, and paper. That is why the basement is the perfect environment for mold to thrive.

Dust Mites

A humid basement is also the perfect environment for dust mites since they absorb the water in the air. Both mold and dust mites can irritate allergies and asthma.

Airborne Bacteria

High humidity causes water to evaporate and travel through the home. HVAC ducts carry air back into the basement, including germs. The moisture and darkness allow the bacteria to thrive and spread throughout the house as water evaporates.

Foul Odors

High humidity causes water to evaporate and travel through the home. HVAC ducts carry air back into the basement, including germs. The moisture and darkness allow the bacteria to thrive and spread throughout the house as water evaporates.

Our Top Solutions for Basement Mold & IAQ Problems

Dehumidifiers

A SaniDry™ dehumidifier will dry out and filter the air in a basement or crawl space, reducing the risk of mold, dust mites, and airborne bacteria.

Air Purification

The Aspen Air Purifier will effectively remove airborne allergens, mold spores, odors, smoke, viruses, and more.

Other Ways to Prevent Basement Mold & Poor Indoor Air Quality

• Add a waterproofing system: Our waterproofing system includes an industry-leading drainage system, sump pump, and vapor barrier.
• Remove organic, mold-damaged materials: Discarding and replacing mold-stained organic materials with inorganic elements will prevent future mold growth.
• Repair or replace faulty plumbing: Outdated, damaged plumbing and pipes can be a source of leaks and plumbing.
• Replace outdated, clogged gutters: Without a reliable gutter system, water can spill over and saturate the ground around the foundation and seep into the house through cracks.
• Use a bathroom vent: A vent will expel humid air during showering and washing to the exterior.

Improve Indoor Air Quality with the Basement Waterproofing Experts

Does your home have musty odors, visible basement mold growth, indoor air quality concerns, or other signs of a wet basement problem? If so, contact Sure-Dry today! We provide proven waterproofing and moisture control solutions.

Get A Free IAQ Estimate!

Schedule a free basement waterproofing estimate to learn more. We proudly serve Greater Green Bay areas throughout Green Bay, Appleton, Oshkosh, and nearby.

Looking for a price? Get a no cost, no obligation free estimate.