How to Control Moisture and Humidity in Your Home

Humidity refers to the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere. Moisture and humidity are essential factors in maintaining a healthy, safe, and comfortable home. 

Low humidity is created when cold air enters the home and gets heated. Where there’s high humidity, it will feel warmer than it is. Research shows that the ideal humidity level is 40-60%. However, it is best to keep it at 50% and below to discourage mold growth. 

Signs of High Humidity

High humidity level is evident in your home if it’s foggy from the inside if you smell mold, you frequently experience allergy symptoms, or if the wood furniture is brittle.

Effects of High Humidity

Mold growth

In this environment, molds, mildew, and bacteria can easily flourish. It can grow on ceilings, carpets, walls, and cabinets. These bioparticles will be on the air that you breathe, causing allergies and other respiratory illnesses. 

Increase risk of heat-related issues

Not only is the muggy air uncomfortable, but it can also cause our bodies to heat up and exhaust quickly. Studies suggest that soaring temperatures and high humidity can increase your risk of heat stroke, dehydration, and heat exhaustion.

Damage to your property

High humidity can also cause your house to deteriorate. Woods can expand and rot, paint and wallpapers can swell and peel, and walls and ceilings can be permanently stained. Moreover, small pests also tend to thrive in houses with high humidity.  

Signs of Low Humidity

If your home has high static electricity, your skin gets flaky, and your throat feels unnaturally parched, these are signs that your home may have low humidity. 

Effects of Low Humidity

The dryness in the air can cause chronic dry skin, cracked lips, and scratchy throat and nose. Residents are more susceptible to colds and flu. Moreso, low humidity can cause appliances and furniture to chip and crack. This releases microscopic particles into the air, which can be a silent health hazard. 

Ways To Control Moisture And Humidity In Your Home

Use humidifier/dehumidifier. For homes with dry air, a humidifier or vaporizer will certainly add moisture to the air. Even boiling water or creating steam from a shower may help.

For homes with high humidity, a dehumidifier will undoubtedly help. If there’s no available machine, placing charcoal briquettes and baking soda in strategic areas may help absorb some of the moisture. You may want to use dehumidifiers, particularly during summer and in enclosed spaces like the basement and storage areas.

Have proper ventilation. Turn on exhaust and vent fans when cooking or taking warm showers. If needed, an extra oscillator or fan may also help. Even cracking the windows open, especially during the summer months, may significantly help decrease humidity indoors.

Use air conditioning. Regulating indoor air temperature can help maintain ideal humidity within the home. It’s best to use its “auto” feature to ensure that temperature is adjusted accordingly. Make sure that the capacity of the unit is appropriate to the size of the room, too.

Cover pans when cooking. Covering pans and pots while cooking will help decrease moisture inside the home by trapping as much steam as possible.  

Employ weatherstripping and caulking. Create an airtight seal around windows and doors. This is particularly true when living in a warm climate. Caulking around faucets, toilets, and tubs may prevent unnecessary moisture from these water sources. Fix any leakages, too.

Move houseplants. Indoor plants are living things that release moisture into the air. If it gets too humid, move plants to a more open area. 

Dry laundry outdoors. Drying clothes indoors will definitely add moisture to the air. Clothes that are not completely dry will encourage molds growth. 

Ensuring Your Health and Safety

Get professionals to test for mold presence in your home. Where there’s high humidity, they multiply quickly. If you think that your area is too dry that molds won’t thrive, think again. If there’s a room with poor ventilation or if you’ve had a plumbing leak, there’s a good chance you have a mold problem. 

If your home has humidity that causes cracks on the walls and paints, you may unknowingly be exposed to toxic particles that may be detrimental to your health. 

Call us now at 303-995-7015 to find out more about our services. With our vast experience, accreditation, and professionalism, we can ensure you that your air indoors is safe for you and the people you care for.