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Keeping the Home Dry With a Dehumidifier

Spring is a wonderful time of year. As the weather changes from cold and dreary to pleasant, it means that summer is around the corner. But spring also brings rain, which brings moisture. And too much moisture in the home can be a terrible thing. Not only can too much humidity make it downright uncomfortable in a home or building, but it can also worsen allergies, cause mold growth, and damage parts of the home.

Luckily, the right dehumidifier can make quick work of this, allowing homeowners to stay comfortable and avoid some nasty humidity-related issues. Read on to find out how to pick the right dehumidifier.

What Does a Dehumidifier Do To Prevent Mold?

Moisture is more common in some months, and some areas, than others. During the rainy springtime season, humidity tends to be pretty high in Pennsylvania. And while an air conditioner can remove some humidity from the home, sometimes it requires a dehumidifier to help it along. A dehumidifier works by pulling warm, humid air in with a fan. That air passes over cooling coils, which can trap the moisture to those coils. That moisture then condenses and drains down into a receptacle. The dehumidified air is then sent back into the home.

Having a dehumidifier is the best way to ensure that mold doesn’t grow in the house. Mold needs moisture to grow, so when a dehumidifier is allowed to work, it removes that necessary factor of mold growth. This helps protect those in the home with allergies while keeping the interior comfortable even when it’s raining cats and dogs outside.

Kinds of Dehumidifiers

The two main kinds of dehumidifiers are portable and whole-home. Portable dehumidifiers are ideal for removing moisture from just one room at a time. They’re great for those rooms where the home’s AC just doesn’t seem to cut it and needs a little help. Or for those who only have cause for using one on occasion.

Whole-home dehumidifiers are another story altogether. They require professional installation and effectively remove moisture from the entire house, provided it’s the right size. Whole-home dehumidifiers are generally more energy-efficient than portable models. They’re also quieter and are generally installed out of sight in the basement or attic, so it doesn’t take up space in the home.

Which Is the Best Choice?

Deciding which kind of dehumidifier to use can be fairly easy. The big question is how much space needs the humidity removed and how often. A smaller space, like an apartment, can get by with a portable model. This is also ideal because those renting an apartment don’t want to invest money to install a whole-home system.

However, those in small, medium, or large family homes who want to protect their walls and their household members should consider a whole-home dehumidifier. They have a higher up-front cost, but they tend to pay for themselves pretty quickly by preventing mold and keeping the walls from developing moisture damage. Those still unsure about which dehumidifier is best should talk to their local HVAC experts for more information.

About G.F. Bowman, Inc.

G.F. Bowman, Inc. has been serving Cleona and Lebanon, PA, since 1967. Their trusted staff members are all about delivering honest, quality service and long-term solutions. Their focus is always on customer satisfaction and excellent workmanship. Contact them to learn more about whole-house dehumidifier installation today!

Bathroom Plumbing: There is a Right Way

The needs of homeowners are constantly changing and evolving. Due to these changes, many homeowners are looking into installing commercial toilets inside their houses. While the idea of installing a commercial toilet appeals to many owners due to the tankless feature, these toilets are not intended for residential use.

Installing a commercial toilet in a residential area can lead to malfunction and even damage to your plumbing. Read on to learn why commercial toilets should never be installed in the place of residential toilets and what options you have. And remember! Just because they are louder and stronger, does not mean that commercial toilets don't get clogged toilet issues.

Residential VS. Commercial Toilets

While both residential and commercial toilets appear to be similar, there are key differences that are important to learn. Residential toilets are installed with the correct setup to connect to city sewer piping. They are created to handle a smaller volume of water and waste and function using a suction system to flush.

Residential toilets use tanks to force water and waste through piping. Pipes are often of a smaller diameter. Commercial toilets, on the other hand, are designed to handle more significant amounts of waste and water.

They connect to large industrial piping, and their tankless feature uses a large amount of force and water volume to flush waste through the piping. These are installed with larger diameter piping and use a pump to force water through the bowl for each flush.

Inspect Your Underground Plumbing System First

One of the reasons for differences in residential toilets and commercial toilets comes down to the plumbing systems used. Residential plumbing has smaller piping that connects to the city sewer system. Residential piping is built to handle a smaller volume of water and waste.

Commercial plumbing, on the other hand, is built to handle high volumes of water and waste. Plumbing for malls and other large building complexes are hooked into the sewage system with much larger piping. Commercial toilets use larger piping that is not available for residential homes. A commercial toilet cannot be installed in a home because the piping available for commercial toilets will not connect properly to piping used in houses.

Why Do Homeowners Opt for Tankless Toilets?

If you want the tankless feature of a commercial toilet but live in a residential area, you aren’t out of luck. The good news for you is that there are tankless toilets designed especially for houses. Tankless toilets function as their name implies, without a toilet tank.

By using a specially designed pump and pipe attachments, the tankless toilet is capable of flushing waste through your residential piping using high volume water pressure. These toilets are completely safe for residential use and provide you with all the benefits of a commercial toilet.

Tankless toilets are easy to clean. Without the tank to worry about, you can easily get behind the toilet bowl when moping or scrubbing, improving overall cleanliness and sanitation. Tankless toilets give your bathroom a sleek modern look and are a wonderful space-saving feature.

Plumbers You Can Trust

G.F. Bowman, Inc. has been serving the Cleona and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania area for over 50 years. They offer services for all of your plumbing, heating, cooling, and geothermal needs. Priding themselves on going the extra mile for every customer, they’re sure to get every plumbing job done right.