How To Get Rid Of Excess Moisture In Your House?
Water is one of the greatest benisons of Almighty in our life, without it life on earth would die its own death. Having said that there are times and occasions when it becomes a nuisance as well. Excessive Moisture In the house especially in winter is one of them. Water in houses contributes to moisture by leaking or by seeping through basement floors. Showers or even cooking can also add moisture to the air in your home. The amount of moisture that the air in your home can hold depends on the temperature of the air. As the temperature goes down, the air is able to hold less moisture and vice versa. This is why, in cold weather, moisture condenses on cold surfaces i.e. drops of water form on the inside of a window. This moisture can encourage biological pollutants to grow and can account for the chill in your house.
Moisture Symptoms In House
Some of the common symptoms include:
- Condensation on windows during the winter.
- Excessive dust mite populations (a cause of dust allergies).
- Peeling, cracking, or blistering paint on the exterior or interior finishes.
- Excessive mildew in the bathroom.
- Mold growing on interior surfaces (corner of a closet, kitchen, or bathroom).
- Indoor activities such as bathing, cooking, dishwashing and just breathing all produce moisture.
The list does not end here rather there is quite long and contains things that are very obvious to us and can also be managed accordingly to get rid of the moisture in the house.
These moisture sources in the home include:
- Stored firewood.
- Plumbing leaks.
- Unvested gas appliances.
- Outside air during humid weather.
- Damp soil under many basements and crawlspaces.
Relative Humidity
Relative humidity simply is the Moisture In The Air at a given temperature. Keeping relative humidity lower helps to reduce Moisture Problems In Homes. Generally, when the relative humidity is more than 50%, several moisture problems may occur under certain exterior and interior conditions. Particularly in cold winter conditions, the relative humidity levels must be lower to prevent condensation and potential damage to the structure of the house or to encourage mold growth which can cause allergies and respiratory problems in some people. When it comes to standard levels, keeping the relative humidity at 25% in winters is generally considered healthy and comfortable, and better for the house.
Identify the Source of Moisture in Your House
The first and foremost thing that you must do is to identify and remove the source. If that is not possible in any case then remove the moisture with ventilation or dehumidification.
Moreover, reduce or eliminate High Moisture Levels In The Home by:
- Reduce sources of water evaporation (bathing, cooking, humidifiers, etc.
- Consider adding a whole-house ventilation system.
- Install or inspect (and repair) exhaust fans in your bathrooms.
- Bring dry outdoor air into the home to replace stale, moist air that is being exhausted.
- In winter, temporarily open windows just a little to allow warm moist air to leave the home and also allow cold, dry air to come in.
- Install an exhaust fan in the kitchen to remove moisture caused by cooking.
- In summer, use a properly sized air-conditioner or stand-alone dehumidification system to reduce indoor humidity.
- Check that exhaust ventilation systems are working properly.
- Seal openings that might allow warm, moist air to enter walls, ceilings, and the attic where it may become a cause of structural damage to the home.
See Also: Proper Basement Waterproofing Concepts
More Ways to Control the Moisture in Your House
1. Fix leaks and seepage. Find out the root cause, if water is entering the house from the outside, your options range from simple landscaping to extensive excavation and waterproofing. Moisture in the basement can result from the lack of gutters or a water flow toward the house.
2. To prevent moisture, put a plastic cover over dirt in crawlspaces and make sure that the crawlspaces are well-ventilated.
3. Make use of exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to remove moisture to the outside (not into the attic). Vent your clothes dryer to the outside.
4. Put off certain appliances i.e. humidifiers or Kerosene Heaters, if you notice moisture on windows and other surfaces.
5. Raise the temperature of cold surfaces where moisture condenses. Preferably, use insulation or storm windows. (A Storm Window installed on the inside works well than one installed on the outside.) Keep the doors open between rooms (especially doors to closets which may be colder than the rooms) to increase circulation as it carries heat to the cold surfaces. Be sure that your house has a source of fresh air and can expel excessive moisture from the home.
6. Take care of the carpet on your Floor Designs And Choices as it can absorb moisture and serve as a place for biological pollutants to grow. Use area rugs that can be taken up and easily washed. If carpet is to be installed over a concrete floor, it would work as a cherry on the cake to use a vapor barrier (plastic sheeting) over the concrete and cover that with sub-flooring (insulation covered with plywood) to prevent a moisture problem.
7. Moisture problems and their solutions differ from one climate to another and other factors in the home. Yet all of the regions do have moisture problems that need your timely attention. Most of the moisture problems arise from things in our control as stated above and can be addressed with much ease. Also, the types of construction and weatherization for the different climates can lead to different problems and solutions.
Lastly, in Pakistan, the winter season is harsh everywhere and the problem of moisture is all-pervasive. On top of the severe weather, if internal moisture of the house is not addressed, it could lead to severe repercussions in the form of damage to the house structure and can also affect your health badly, so address it timely!
