Your Marine Water Heater Analysts Help Defend Against Many Types of Mold
Raritan Engineering Company your marine water heaters specialists would like to share with you this week some great information regarding free and easy mildew growth prevention tips.
I’ve been growing several interesting varieties of mold and mildew at home. It is glamorous work, I know. While my wife, Theresa, disagrees, I know that you understand.
This Practical Sailor project led me to our last test of mildew cleaners, and some helpful tips for keeping mildew at bay.
Having been closely involved in our mildew cleaner test and the upcoming report on spray-on mildew “shields” that supposedly prevent mildew growth, I’m convinced that sprays can help fight mold, but these shouldn’t be your first weapon against it.
The best way to fight mildew onboard is to keep it from ever starting in the first place. Prevention is your best defense. When storing your boat or leaving it closed up for an extended time, a few simple steps will help prevent mildew.
Leave open all drawers, doors, and lockers to promote circulation. If covering the boat with a tarp, create ventilation between the tarp and the hull by hanging a few fenders between them.
At the dock, a home dehumidifier, a dehumidifying stick (like the Golden Rod, effectively a small heater), or even a light bulb positioned under a vent can help promote air circulation and moisture removal.
Your Marine Water Heaters Experts Suggest Using Ventilation Products
Ventilation products
We’re big fans of cowl vents coupled with Dorade boxes (PS May 15, 1997) to let air in but keep water out. Your marine water heaters professionals know that a Dorade box is simply a water trap that employs a down-draft pipe offset laterally from the throat of the cowl vent. Vetus supplies a wide range of well-made cowl ventilators.
Twelve-volt fans (PS April 2008) and solar-powered vents (PS May 1, 1993) also keep fresh air flowing in the cabin. The Hella Turbo fan outlasted three other popular models in PS’s 2000 cabin fan longevity test. It also was among the recommended fans in our 2008 test.
Sails
• Never stow sails when they are damp or salty as salt attracts moisture. (Fresh-water rinse salty sails.) Air them out regularly, especially after a rain.
• Keep mildew-infected sails away from clean ones, and try to clean infected sails as quickly as possible. Stains are easier to treat when they are new.
• Never use bleach on Kevlar or nylon as it will destroy the fibers. Washing these or Dacron sails in a chlorine-treated swimming pool will turn them brittle and yellow.
• Laminates are sure to grow fungus more readily than woven polyester most likely because the film is impermeable and moisture is not able to escape.
Now, to see how that shower mold is growing . . .
Visit us at Raritan Engineering Company and see how you can find more information and assistance regarding marine water heaters and other marine needs.
via Tips on Preventing Mildew Growth on Boats and Sails
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