One thing that not many people realize when purchasing a home in Mexico’s Riviera Maya is that they need to be prepared to upkeep it against hot temperatures and humidity. This means you need to be prepared to do certain maintenance to keep your house from creating mold. In general, upkeeping a home requires time and money; but it must be done. In humid climates, besides your day-to-day maintenance, you need to consider other things to avoid giving fungi an environment to grow in.
Start Indoors
Humidity and mold are created due to a lack of proper ventilation, temperature and humidity levels. It is highly recommended to keep these at reasonable levels. When you’re furnishing your home, make sure to invest in good air conditioning systems, as well as plenty of ventilation. Invest in a good humidity monitor and make sure your indoor humidity stays between 30 and 60 per cent. Your indoor temperature should also be regulated. Although sometimes it is nice to blast the air conditioning at full penguin temperatures, it is recommended to keep an average temperature of 68°F.
All of this needs to be addressed the moment you purchase the home. If you don’t tackle these recommendations with time, it can become difficult to get rid of the generated mold down the road. Make sure your air conditioners have de-humifying features and that your home has good ventilation. Other ways to avoid mold and fungi from growing is to constantly wash your mattresses, bedding, pillows and cushions. These items can soak in the humidity around them creating the perfect environment for mold.
When your electronics are not in use, try unplugging them. When they are kept plugged, they still pull energy (although minimum), but this energy can create a warm temperature around them, increasing humidity levels within your home. Lastly, it is recommended that you keep indoor plants that can absorb the humidity and water surrounding them. They also let out fresh oxygen and clear up the air, creating a healthier environment.
Work with outside temperatures
Monitor the outside temperatures and learn to work with them. During the day, when the temperature rises to its highest point, make sure to keep your windows closed, but with the curtains drawn to avoid the greenhouse effect. Approximately 30% of your home’s unwanted heat comes from the greenhouse effect, which is when the direct sunlight creates heat within your home that cannot escape. By keeping your shades or blinds closed, you avoid the sunlight and lower your home’s temperature.
On the other hand, nighttime is the perfect time to regulate your home. Opening windows during the night, when humidity is at its lowest, is a great idea. Any warm air that may have stayed trapped during the day will start flowing. If you have ceiling fans, now is the time to turn them one. This will help the air flow so that cooler natural air replaces the humidity and warmth of your home.
Basic maintenance
When you purchase a new home, the first thing you want to do is waterproof it. This is not such an expensive thing, and can be done yearly. Outdoor humidity levels are out of our control, of course. Which is why waterproofing is important. Failing to waterproof your home can result in water absorption, giving way to the growth of mold and dust mites.
It helps in humid and hot climates to keep light colors indoors and outdoors. Light colors reflect sunlight and can help keep cool temperatures. It goes without saying, of course, that closed spaces increase heat. So small backyards do well with shaded areas, fresh plants and trees.
Humidity-inducing rooms
There are certain rooms in your home that are naturally moist. These encourage the growth of mold.
- Bathrooms
- Kitchen
- Laundry room
It makes sense, as these are rooms that generate heat easily, and are constantly working with water. Showers, cooking, washing, cleaning are all humidity-inducing activities. These rooms must have great ventilation, exhaust fans and de-humifying features to avoid creating mold. Make sure your washer and dryer also have proper vents, as well so they don’t overheat.
General maintenance
Other things that you need to consider to keep a healthy environment in your home are:
- Cleaning out gutters constantly
- Venting washing machines, washers and dryers properly
- Make sure your fans work properly
- Give constant maintenance to your air conditioning units
- Keep plants inside your house
- Invest in dehumidifiers and ventilation
Investing in a home in the Mexican Caribbean can indeed be a little bit more work. But it is definitely worth it. Retiring here is easy. And it can be healthy for you both physically and mentally in the long run. So, adding a little bit more time and effort into upkeeping your home is barely anything.
If you’re looking to invest in Tulum, or anywhere else in the Riviera Maya, make sure you swift through our thousands of listings and find that dream home you’ve always wanted.
And remember, at Top Mexico Real Estate…we make it happen!