Want to Make Next Summer's Opening of Your Beach House a Breeze?

As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. Unfortunately, summer is no exception. Summer is winding down with Labor Day weekend and the new school year, which seemed so distant, is now right around the corner.

We all have our list of end-of-summer tasks, but perhaps the most intimidating item on your to-do list is closing your beach house. Contrary to popular opinion, those musty odors are NOT part of the Jersey Shore summer experience. That damp odor is nature’s warning signal of high levels of moisture and humidity. And with those damp, soggy walls, flooring, and furniture if mold hasn’t already formed, you can almost guarantee that it’s on its way. That earthy smell is not just a nuisance for your nostrils. More important, it is a sign of an unhealthy indoor environment. Poor indoor air quality caused by all those microscopic mold spores can trigger allergies, asthma, and other negative health effects.

Our advice? First, if your beach house currently has a mold problem treat it NOW. Just because you are packing up, the mold will be hunkering down over the winter months. And when high temps and humidity return next spring, the mold will become active once again and continue to spread. Second, take proactive steps now to prevent a mold problem when you open your beach house next season.

Here are Cowleys beach house closing tips:

Address water leaks. Leaks are one of the most common causes of mold growth. Fix any leaks in plumbing, roofing, chimneys before closing your beach house. And not just the big gushers. Those slow, insidious leaks cause major water intrusions over time.

Reduce humidity. If you have chronically high indoor humidity levels, you can’t rely on just your AC to remove moisture and humidity. The only long-term solution is a commercial-grade whole-house dehumidifier. The workhorses that we install will do the lion’s share of the work removing moisture in the air, and let your AC operate more efficiently. Ours turns on and off automatically with a built-in hygrometer and empties straight into your drainage system.

Inspect crawl spaces, basements, and attics. These seldom-visited areas of a home are notorious trouble spots for mold growth. Vented crawl spaces allow hot humid air to enter and are often the cause of your mold or mildew issues.

Identify and fix any water intrusion or moisture problem regardless of course. If you have water or moisture issues, you also have a potential mold problem lurking around the corner.

The mold specialists at Cowleys can get rid of those musty odors, reduce the chance of mold growth, and keep your indoor air clean, dry, and safe. Give us a call for more information about our mold treatment and prevention services or our commercial-grade dehumidifiers that we sell and service!