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Excessive humidity in your home can be much more than uncomfortable.
In addition to sweaty bedsheets and that muggy, oppressive feeling in your living room, too much moisture in the air can lead to a number of potentially serious issues for your home and your health.
It’s estimated that the number of homes affected by excess dampness may be as high as 20% worldwide.
Even if you don’t live in an exceptionally humid part of the world, there’s still a good chance you may be included in that statistic.
High moisture levels in your indoor air don’t necessarily come from the climate outside your door.
There are a number of ways water vapor can become trapped inside your house that have nothing to do with the weather. These include leaky plumbing, dishwashers and other large appliances, boiling water from cooking, and even the materials used to build your home.
Windows are another common culprit of letting in moisture, but new windows for your home can help keep the inside dry.
How Excessive Moisture Can Hurt Your Home
If the air in your home is too moist, it can cause significant damage over time and lead to other issues.
As the wood, drywall, and other elements of your house soak up water, you may start to see paint peeling, floors warping and walls softening. This can result in you needing costly repairs to replace these damaged aspects of your property.
Even worse, excessive humidity indoors can cause mold and mildew to grow inside your walls, which can lead to deterioration over time.
Health Concerns Caused by Humidity
Too much moisture in the air inside your house can lead to some health issues, especially for those with pre-existing conditions such as asthma and allergies.
Mold and mildew spores may fill the air, causing residents to breathe them in and develop respiratory ailments such as coughing and sneezing.
Moist environments also enable bacteria, dust mites, and cockroaches to thrive, which in turn can promote the spread of diseases.
Preventing Excess Moisture Around the House
If you’re having trouble with sticky, stifling air in your home, you should consider doing everything you can to lower the humidity level inside it.
Dehumidifiers and air conditioning can make a big difference, but they may not be enough. Another step you can take is sealing your crawlspace with plastic vapor barriers to prevent moisture from the earth from entering your property.
Make sure you have proper ventilation, especially in your kitchen and bathrooms. Exhaust fans ensure steam from your cooktop and shower is circulated out of your house instead of lingering in the air.
Heavy rainfall can result in water pooling around your house, allowing excess moisture to get in through cracks and seams.
This is why it’s important to make sure your weatherstripping is in good condition and keep your gutters and downspouts clean from blockages.
It’s also recommended to fix any leaking pipes or fixtures as soon as you notice them, no matter how minor they may seem.
For more ideas about preventing excessive moisture levels in the home and why it’s necessary, take a look at the accompanying resource.
About The Author:
Dave Cook is the official spokesperson for Feldco and has been with the company for more than 20 years. He has served many roles and has been pivotal in Feldco’s growth and expansion. Cook is a home improvement expert and loves helping people transform their homes.
Infographic provided by Feldco, home window services
