Higher humidity can reduce your energy efficiency. Higher humidity makes your home’s air warmer and your HVAC will need to cool it down. Moisture can be a tricky issue. A leak is a problem if moisture is found in a particular area of your home. These are difficult to locate because water can hang to pipes and joists, and travel a great distance from the source. If the problem is widespread, such as in a whole area or a wall, it could be a humidity problem. You should hire a professional to repair any leaks. You can decrease humidity by yourself. This article will show you how to reduce humidity in your home and closet.
1. Effects Of Humidity In Your Home
Humidity in your house can cause uncomfortable living conditions and permanent damage. High humidity can lead to excess moisture and condensation, which could cause mold and rot. Low humidity has been linked with the rapid spread of viruses such as colds, flu and even Covid-19.
We’ll be discussing how bad humidity can cause damage and irreparable harm to your fixtures, property, and fittings. We will also discuss how to deal with existing problems. We’ll show you how to fix existing problems and how to protect your home from future damage.
If your home’s relative humidity is more than 60%, it can lead to problems. Mold and mildew can grow in the atmosphere above this level. Excess moisture can also cause rot that can damage your belongings. Let’s take a look at some possible problems.
Growth Of Mold And Mildew
These micro-fungi can be found all around us. However, in damp areas of your home, they will find the ideal conditions to grow and settle on surfaces. The term mildew is usually used to describe the grey or white patches that appear on shower curtains, tiles, and windowsills. Mold, however, is black in color and can penetrate into more expensive building materials.
Mold can also trigger allergies and cause asthma in children. Mold growth that isn’t controlled eventually kills everything it touches. This happens because the fungus slowly digests materials. Items such as books, carpets, and soft toys may need to be thrown out. It can lead to weakened ceilings and walls as well as a loss of structural integrity in buildings.
Rotting Furniture, Floors, And Furnishings
Wood can be damaged by excessive moisture due to high humidity. This can lead to stains, growth and eventually more severe decay. The risk of dampness setting in furniture placed close to exterior walls is higher. The most severe cases can result in irreversible damage to wooden fittings such as window frames, hardwood floors and windows.
Damaged Walls And Brickwork
Your walls will usually have air/vapor barriers to keep warm moist air from reaching the surface. These are not always perfect. When the weather is warm, moisture can condense on foundation materials, crawl spaces and basements. This can lead to structural problems.
The moisture content of plaster, joists and studs changes constantly, causing materials to shrink or expand. High humidity can result in cracks which could lead to costly repairs in your Pennsylvania home.
2. How To Lower The Humidity In Your Home And Closet
Humidity can cause mold growth on shelves, clothes, linens, walls and clothing. Items that are stored in closets will smell musty due to the humidity. Closed closets tend to have restricted airflow which keeps humidity inside the closet. Basement and bathroom closets have higher humidity levels than other closets in a house. Certain areas of the country have higher humidity levels and all closet locations are susceptible to dampness. It is essential to regulate the humidity in your closets to prevent mold, mildew and odors.
Prevention Steps For Closet
Check the interior of your closet for signs of water leaking from pipes or air conditioner ducts. To reduce humidity and moisture, repair the leaks. To stop moisture from escaping, wrap pipes in insulation if they are sweating.
Louver panels are a better choice than flat panel closet doors. The closet’s air can flow in and out through the space between the slats. To draw moist air out of the closet, install an exhaust fan. This will reduce humidity.
To let fresh air circulate throughout the closet, leave the closet door unclosed whenever you can. A fan can be pointed at the interior of the closet in order to circulate the air and reduce humidity.
Prevention Steps In The House
Cover a crawl space that has a dirt floor with a polyethylene cover. You should ensure that there is no standing water and that the soil is dry. If necessary, use fans to dry the area. Check that your dryer vents are open to the outside. You may have a hazardous situation if it doesn’t. This can result in a fire, as well as high humidity.
Use A Dehumidifier
A dehumidifier is a good investment if your indoor humidity levels are above 65%. If you have the funds, a portable dehumidifier will work well. However, you can also buy a whole-home unit.
Take Colder And Shorter Showers
Although hot, long showers are a regular part of most people’s day, they can also be a way to keep their homes warm and moist. While extensive cleanings can increase humidity in a house, it is also possible to reduce this by taking shorter or colder showers. Low flow showerheads, which are more efficient than others, can be used to reduce humidity in a home as well as very helpful in consuming less Penn Power.
Clean Your AC Filters
Air conditioning can be a powerful tool to prevent or reduce humidity. It pulls in outside air and filters out any moisture. While this natural method is effective in dehumidifying, it is just as effective as your AC filters. Filters become clogged over time. This can prevent airflow, increasing humidity. It will reduce humidity in your house by giving them a good clean. You should also clean out your vented furnaces.
Bottom Line
Controlling moisture in your Pennsylvania home will increase the effectiveness of your insulation and air sealing efforts. This will in turn help to control moisture. How your home is built and the climate you live in will dictate which strategies are best for controlling moisture. Proper ventilation is also important in controlling moisture.
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