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Spring Newsletter

We have put together a mold clean up process just in time for spring cleaning.  This is not your typical cookie cutter boat or RV spring cleaning checklist.  This is Spring Cleaning with emphasis on mold and mildew clean up in your boat or RV.  click here

Summer Newsletter

Three Steps you should take to reduce moisture in your boat or RV.

Boating and RV season is in full swing and its time to uncover and rediscover your pride and joy. Not so fast:
Humidity Problems?
Want to come home to a fresh smelling Boat?
Want to protect all that fine woodwork from high humidity?
Here are three steps you should be taking to reduce humidity in your boat or RV.

Fall Newsletter

Dehumidifiers and Ventilation not just for Summer Use but important for Fall use too:

Boating and RV season is winding down, but don't let your guard down with cooler temps and lower humidity levels.  Unexpected and extended period of warm, humid weather can create ideal conditions for mold and mildew growth in your boat or RVs interior.

Well, don't despair, we have put together a mold and mildew prevention program to employ during Fall.

Emphasis is on using a dehumidifier to prevent mold and mildew during Fall.
PS this is not  a winterizing article

Winter Newsletter

Condensation is the biggest problem during the winter season.
Humidity condenses on cold surfaces and makes everything soggy.
At risk are liveaboards, houseboats, and motor coach owners.

Find out how our dehumidifier will make living aboard this winter less soggy and more livable.  Check it out here..

No longer hot and sticky?  Just cold and soggy?  Feeling all wet?  Discover 3 Steps to Beating Condensation and Staying Dry this Winter.

Three Steps you should take to reduce moisture in your boat or RV.

Humidity Problems?
Want to come home to a fresh smelling Boat?
Too much condensation during mild weather?
Want to protect all that fine woodwork from high humidity?
Here are three steps you should be doing to reduce humidity in your boat or RV.

Step 1
The Quick Fix: Ventilate, Ventilate, Ventilate
For immediate results, ventilating hot humid air from the interior to the exterior and replacing it with fresh, dry air form the outside is the quickest and best way to reduce the humidity, and concentrations of pollutants, and mold spores, and micro organisms in your boat or RV.
This is easily achieved when you are underway and you can open port and hatches on the windward to allow fresh, clean air intake, circulation and exhausting out on the leeward.

However, for other times use exhaust fans to vent air outside.  Use fans to circulate the air inside the cabin.

Compared to the air in your boat or RV, outside air is less humid and can quickly reduces the relative humidity inside your boat or RV. Likewise outside air is less polluted (has lesser concentration levels) of mold spores, odors, and other pollutants.
Of course you can't always ventilate (since you don't want to lose your conditioned; air cold or warm), for such situations use a boat or RV dehumidifier.   Whenever, possible ventilate, ventilate, ventilate. The objective is to keep your interior dryer and less polluted.
Moisture control is key to mold control.

Step 2
Long term maintenance: Employ the use of a marine type dehumidifier in your boat or RV
For long term usage, or for those times that you can't ventilate a boat or RV dehumidifier will help reduce the humidity in you boat or RV.

If moisture is the enemy then a dehumidifier is your ally. A dehumidifier works by removing

humidity from the air and draining the condensate that collects, out through a suitable drain or bilge.

The dehumidifier creates a low humidity environment in your cabin that inhibits the growth of mold and

mildew. With a dehumidifier it is not necessary to have a continuous source of fresh, outside air.

The use of a dehumidifier is an ideal substitute to your AC Unit especially in an unoccupied boat or RV. In short it is more economical and efficient than using your AC unit.

see also  mold prevention program in your boat or RV, for a long term maintenance program.

A dehumidifier allows you to set a desired relative humidity in your boat or RV. 

At levels between 50% RH and 60% RH most moisture related problems can be reduced.  see additional usage table for a marine type dehumidifier at the end of this article

Step 3
Reduce the sources of moisture in your boat or RV.
Dry out carpeting, sails, cushions, life jackets and other equipment before storing these in your boat.
Cooking and bathing generates considerable amounts of humidity in your boat or RV.

Therefore, employ the use of exhaust fans or hatches in the galley and head. I don't know why manufactures

don't install more exhaust fans. Perhaps they don't realize that moisture is the number one cause

of odor, mold and mildew in boats and RVs. If your head or galley doesn't already have an exhaust,

consider installing or retrofitting an exhaust fan. Even if you can't install a fan consider installing a

hatch or such like, that can opened while you are cooking or bathing.

A good source of exhaust fans for RV Owners can be found at:

Jcwhitney
http://www.jcwhitney.com/RV-Ceiling-Fan-Vent-Install-Kits

or
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/

RV Part World
http://www.rvpartworld.com/categories.php?catID=248

Camping World
http://www.campingworld.com/

For boat Owners:

West Marine has a good selection you can find it here
http://www.westmarine.com

For a complete mold prevention program in your boat or RV see or mold prevention program.

 

Model:  DH-10

A compact, light, dehumidifier specifically designed for Boat, RV, Industrial and Special Applications Capacity: 9 ppd Size: Height: 12", Width: 12", Depth: 15" Horsepower: 1/6 Watts: 150       Volts: 115       Running Amps: 1.5 See all details, features and specifications   Discontinued:  Please note that the McIntire Company no longer produces the DH-10 Dehumidifier.  If you would like a dehumidifier similar to the DH-10 we recommend the Dry Pal manufactured by Mermaid Marine http://www.mmair.com/marine_division/dehumidifiers/dry_pal_dehumidifier Dry Pal or the   CD30 CD30 Manufactured by EbacUSA http://www.ebacusa.com/cd30.htm

Recommended Usage Table for your boat and RV dehumidifier.

If you have employed the use of extensive fine wood flooring, paneling, trim, cabinets and furniture in your boat or RVs interior, you will want to keep your humidity levels between 50% RH and 60% Rh. At levels lower than 50% woodwork may become dried out with extended usage.

Usage	Application For applications of 1000 sq feet or less	How?
Marine and RV Dehumidifier Usage    Galley, laundry, head, berth	Protect your valuable investment and equipment. 40 - 50%RH Improve your personal comfort by removing that "caramel apple" sticky humidity from your environment. 60% RH Store your equipment such as sails, PFDs, electronics, bedding, towels, in a low humidity environment you create. 40 - 50%	Reduces harmful levels of humidity that contribute to corrosion, rust, mold and mildew that thrives in humid and damp environments.   Reduces condensation and dampness on cold walls and surfaces during mild weather by removing naturally occurring moisture.
Control Humidity	Kitchens, bathrooms, laundry room, living spaces 50 - 60% RH     If you have employed the use of extensive fine wood flooring, paneling, trim, cabinets and furniture in your boat or RVs interior, you will want to control the humidity. Wood absorbs and looses moisture. At a high humidity level wood absorbs moisture and expands and contouring may occur. At a low humidity woodwork may become dried out and contracts and cracking in seams may occur. 50% RH - 60% RH     Small crawlspaces, small basements, and cellars. 50 - 60% RH (Less than 1000 square feet)	Reduces naturally occurring moisture and moisture generated from cooking, bathing, washing   Use your dehumidifier to keep your humidity levels between 50% RH and 60% RH. At levels lower than 50% woodwork may become dried out.                 Reduces the humidity or dampness that permeates through the floor, walls, cracks, seams etc.
Protect Your Valuable Investment and Equipment Please note: that their are other agents of deterioration that must be considered when storing your collections or equipment. These agents include visible light, ultraviolet radiation, temperature, dirt, etc. which may affect your environment.	Storage and utility rooms for electronics, equipment, memorabilia, keepsakes, books, tapes, photos etc. see table below   Furniture, sails, PFDs, electronics, bedding, towels 40 - 50% RH   Construction trailers, Field Offices	Reduces harmful levels of humidity that contribute to corrosion, rust, mold and mildew that thrives in humid and damp environments   Use your dehumidifier to Create a low humidity environment/room for storage
Reduce Condensation	Boat and RVs, campers, pop ups 50 - 60 % RH	Reduces condensation and dampness on cold walls during mild weather by removing naturally occurring moisture.
Improve your personal comfort             Improve your personal health	Campers, Pop Ups, RV’s Mobile homes, Field Offices, Attics 60 % RH         Living spaces, cabins, basements, crawlspaces.  -Less than 1000 sq feet The EPA recommends a setting between 30% and 50% RH to decrease mold growth.	Reduces naturally occurring moisture and moisture generated from cooking, bathing.   Prevent Condensation and dampness on cold walls   Some people are allergic to mold, mildew and bacteria, which thrive in damp, humid environments.  By reducing the humidity in the air you help to prevent their growth.
Restore Freshness	Rooms, Cabins, Campers, Living Space 30% and 50% RH to decrease mold growth.	Musty odors are caused by mold and mildew growth. Inhibit their growth by reducing the moisture they need to thrive on.

 

Relative Humidity Optimum Ranges for Various Materials as Recommended by the National Park Service for their Park's Museum Collection. Please note: that their are other agents of deterioration that must be considered when storing your collections or equipment. These agents include visible light, ultraviolet radiation, temperature, dirt, etc. which may affect your environment. This guide only addresses relative humidity levels as recommended by the NPS for their collections.

Paintings..................................................................40% - 65% Paper ......................................................................45% - 55% Photographs/Film/Negatives ...................................30% - 40% Other organics (wood, leather, textiles, ivory).........45% - 60% Metals.....................................................................<35%