When John and Linda S. moved into their dream home in Utah, Texas, they were prepared for the North Texas heat and humidity; however, navigating ongoing mold in their basement was beyond what they had anticipated, even after purchasing a quality dehumidifier. After months of dealing with a musty smell, discoloration on the walls, and worsening allergies, they figured purchasing the dehumidifier and placing it in the basement was going to fix it. A few weeks later, and despite the dehumidifier, the ongoing mold growth made an appearance once more. After much frustration, they called Restore Masters, one of the most trusted mold remediation experts in Utah. After a full inspection, it became clear the dehumidifier was treating the symptom, not the source of their mold problem. And what was the source? A slow, hidden pipe behind the wall had been leaking and feeding the mold for months. John and Linda’s story is more common than you think. In this blog, we will help you understand why a dehumidifier will not solve your problem, what the typical underlying issues are, and what you can do instead of a dehumidifier to protect your health and home.
Why Humidity is Part of the Mold Problem, Not Solution
It’s true, mold thrives in humid conditions, typically above 60% relative humidity; however, humidity reduction is not merely a fix. Mold requires three things to grow: moisture, organic material (such as drywall, wood, or carpet), and a lack of sunlight. Although dehumidifiers address the ambient moisture in the air, they do not address the following:
- Leaks in the plumbing or HVAC system
- Condensation on cold surfaces
- Water intrusions from the roof, foundation, or windows
- Water-damaged materials that have already been colonized by mold
If the source of the moisture is not located and eliminated, mold will keep growing, often out of sight, behind the walls or under the floors.
Installed a Dehumidifier? They Might Not Work
Many homeowners across Utah purchase dehumidifiers and feel like they are no longer in a mold situation when, in fact, they are only hiding the problem. Here’s why a dehumidifier is considered a problem:
- Spread of Mold May Continue
Mold colonies that have already formed can remain dormant in dry air and simply require very minimal moisture to be reactivated. Dehumidifiers do not remove existing mold from contaminated, moldy materials.
- Continued Health Risks
Simply being airborne, mold spores can cause:
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Respiratory infections
- Skin irritation
Especially children, seniors, and those with existing respiratory conditions are at risk. Also, a dehumidifier does not stop the flow of spores; it merely makes for a more pleasant environment.
- Damage Continues to Occur
Mold that is located behind the walls, or under floors or insulation, continues to damage the materials. By the time you see it or it becomes apparent, the structural damage may already be severe. Even with a dehumidifier keeping your indoor humidity below 50%, mold may be growing in all of these hidden areas:
- Behind drywall
- Under the carpet and padding
- Inside the HVAC ductwork
- Behind bathroom tile
- In attics and crawl spaces
- Around poorly sealed windows and doors
- Beneath sinks or behind toilets
As long as there is a source of moisture, mold doesn’t need high humidity… it just needs time.
Common Sources of Hidden Moisture in Utah Homes
Utah has a lot of weather variation – humid summers, heavy rainstorms, which create mold-prone conditions. Here are some of the most common sources of hidden moisture our experts usually find:
- Leaky Plumbing Fixtures: Even a slow drip will supply mold behind a wall for months.
- Roof Leaks: Storm damage or aged shingles can allow water to enter attics and behind walls.
- Poor Drainage Around the Home’s Foundation: If grading slopes are towards the house, gutters are clogged, or downspouts are malfunctioning, you could be pooling water around the base of your home.
- Water Infiltration: The moisture you see on the windowsills and frames during a rainstorm is getting in through improperly sealed windows.
- Bathrooms Without Ventilation: Putting a dehumidifier in the hallway won’t help if you do not have a fan or window to mitigate steam in the bathroom.
Ways to Fix the Mold Problem in Utah Households
- Professional Mold Inspection
You can’t fix what you can’t find. At Restore Masters, we provide expert mold remediation in Utah by using:
- Thermal imaging cameras that can identify temperature differences behind walls
- Moisture meters that can determine the water vapor content of building materials
- Air quality testing that can quantify mold spores in the air
With these tools, we can find mold when it is not visible.
- Find and Remove the Source of Moisture
Whether it is a leaky pipe, roof leak, or ground water seepage, we can identify the source and remove it, something a dehumidifier cannot do.
- Containment and Decontamination
We will isolate infected spaces using negative air pressure and HEPA filtration so spores cannot migrate away from the contaminated area, and then remove the infected materials. Finally, we will disinfect the area using EPA-recommended protocols and products.
- Recommendations to Prevent Mold
Once the immediate issue has been addressed, we can help you prevent the mold from growing again:
- Improve ventilation
- Seal cracks and/or leaks
- Install sump pumps or vapor barriers, as appropriate.
Why DIY and Store-Bought Solutions For Mold Remediation Fail
While bleach sprays and other store-bought “mold killers” will remove the mold from the visible surface, it does not stop it from coming back, and also do not address:
- Spores that are already airborne
- Mold that resides beneath the surface
- Contaminated insulation or subflooring
Actually, without a total containment strategy, cleaning will release spores back into the environment and will create an unimaginable disaster to manage.
Dehumidifier Isn’t Showing Results? It’s Time to Call the Professionals
If you see or smell any of the following, you should call Restore Masters:
- Smelling a musty odor or stink (likely related to the basement or crawlspace)
- Mold appearing multiple times in the same space
- Water management issues with moisture on (or condensation) on windows, pipes, vents
- One or more people have health issues related to your home, and improve when away from home
- Have a history of water damage at the property
Conclusion: Dehumidifiers May Slow Down Mold Growth, But Restore Masters Prevent It Completely
Dehumidifiers may help improve comfort and slow the growth of mold, but they are not the ultimate solution to an ongoing mold problem. If you have odors or you see mold, you need to investigate further. The great news is, with proper inspection, remediation, and moisture control, you can be mold-free in your space. Restore Masters is not just in the mold removal business – we are in the problem-solving business. Our team has years of experience servicing homeowners throughout Utah and all the surrounding communities in Texas. We are committed to identifying the main contributing factors of mold growth in your property so that you can return to a safe and healthy home.
- We are certified mold remediation professionals
- We supply high-quality moisture measurement solutions
- We offer complete mold containment solutions
- We respond quickly to your emergencies
- We are locally owned and independently operated
Contact us today for trusted and reliable mold removal service at an economical cost.
