Tips to Keep the Humidity and Moisture in Your Home in Check

Decreasing your home’s energy efficiency isn’t the only negative impact of high humidity. It also encourages harmful mold and the growth of mildew, which can potentially cause severe damage.

Solving moisture issues can be very tricky. Your priority is to locate the source of the problem. If the damp is confined to a particular spot on a specific wall, you’ll typically be looking at a water leak. It’s usually best to turn to a professional to sort this out. However, if a complete wall, a whole room, or even your entire house is affected, you have a humidity problem. The good news is that this is relatively easy to manage on your own. So, let’s look at some of the most effective ways to help you get out of this predicament! 

Prevention Is Better Than Cure

Mold is dependent on moisture for its existence. Therefore, drying out those areas that are damp and too humid will prevent its growth. If you have a more severe problem, additional insulation or repairs may be needed.

Basements often present a challenge. Due to water leaking through crevices in the wall, some cellars are continuously wet. To resolve this, ensure that the outside drainage is adequate and replace any defective or cracked mortar.

Damp or wet clothing left lying around might be another massive contributor to excessive humidity. Let it dry out before putting it in the washing basket. Preferably dry out washed fabrics and garments outside. Alternatively, use a clothes dryer to do so. However, if you choose this option, ensure that its duct vents directly outside. One other tip, always remember to stretch out shower curtains after use.

If you’re unsure whether you have a problem, it might be a good idea to invest in a hygrometer. It serves as a humidity meter and thermometer, and won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

Consider Investing in a Dehumidifier

If your home’s humidity levels are consistently above 60 percent, you might want to consider investing in a dehumidifier. These devices are designed to keep moisture in check, and it’s an excellent option to help you get rid of your problems. Typically, a portable unit will be sufficient, but a whole-home system will ensure that you never have an issue again.

Install Exhaust Fans

Proper ventilation and air movement are essential to reducing humidity in your home. Installing exhaust fans in specific windows, in the ceiling, or mounting it in particular walls, will create sufficient circulation. This’ll ensure that excess moisture in the ambient air is carried outside.

Keep Plants in Your Home

It’s well known that there are various benefits to keeping plants in your home. What most people don’t know is that specific flora acts as a natural dehumidifier. It also helps the environment by removing carbon dioxide and adding oxygen. The following species are known to soak up moisture:

• Palms
• Spider plant
• Peace Lily
• Orchids
• Boston Fern
• Cactus
• Tillandsia
• English Ivy

Regular AC Maintenance

Air conditioning does an exceptional job when it comes to reducing or even preventing humidity. It filters out the moisture from the air that it sucks in before releasing cool air into your home. However, it’s only efficient if the AC filter is in good condition. 

A clogged filter will prevent the airflow, thus promoting dampness. Cleaning or installing a new one will prevent this from happening. The same rule applies to vented furnaces, so be sure to keep an eye on those as well.

Avoid Taking Long, Hot Showers

Most people will agree that few things feel as good as a long, hot shower. The problem is that the steam it creates automatically contributes to the humidity inside your home. By taking shorter or colder showers, or installing a low flow showerhead, you’ll effectively reduce the amount of generated moisture.

The Benefits of Reduced Humidity

There are many benefits associated with reducing humidity in your home. The most prominent of these are:

• It improves the smell inside your home.
• It helps to decrease allergies and improve overall health.
• It helps to maintain the structural components of your home by avoiding rot and deterioration.

To Wrap Things Up

Taking action to prevent the build-up of moisture in your home can potentially save you thousands of dollars in repair costs. Maintaining your air conditioning system or taking shorter showers won’t only reduce the humidity level, but it’ll also save you money on utility bills.

Paying attention to small things is crucial. Hanging your washing outside to dry and stretching out a wet shower curtain helps more than you’d realize. An accumulation of small issues can quickly turn into big problems, often ending up costing you a pretty penny.

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