During the summer months, people may notice that their homes feel damp or “muggy.” While on occasion this can be a fleeting concern, sometimes, people have ongoing problems with too much moisture in their homes. While at best overly humid air in the home can cause its residents some discomfort, unfortunately, there is a whole host of other issues that can be cause for concern.
In this article, we’ll identify some of the ways excessive humidity can have an adverse effect on your home. We’ll also give you a few practical ideas of what you can do right away to help diminish the amount of moisture in your home, and provide you with a solution to your humidity woes. Keep reading to learn more!
What are some of the issues caused by too much humidity?
Apart from feeling uncomfortable, there are many other reasons why you’ll want to keep the humidity levels in your home in check. If you’re noticing any of these concerns in your home, it’s likely that humidity is causing the problem.
- You notice mold and mildew growth. Mold and mildew thrive in warm, humid areas. If you’ve noticed mold or mildew growth on floors, walls, or ceilings, it is most definitely a cause for concern. Not only can it cause damage to the building materials in these areas, but it can also cause health problems if left unchecked.
- You’ve discovered peeling paint. Generally speaking, humidity is one of the major reasons why paint might peel on fixtures, furnishings, and walls around your home. That’s because the paint will not adhere properly to surfaces that are too damp. So, if you’ve discovered peeling paint, especially on surfaces that also feel damp to the touch, excess humidity is the likely cause.
- Your house has an unpleasant odor. If you’re noticing a musty smell around your house, chances are it’s being caused by excess dampness – and unfortunately, mold or mildew growth. Overly humid environments can even help bacteria to grow in your home. Unpleasant smells are a warning sign that these unsavory pathogens are blooming somewhere in your house.
- There are spots where wood seems discolored. If your home feels overly damp and you’re noticing discoloration on wood in your home, it may be showing signs of wood rot. It may be accompanied by shrinking, cracks, or splinters. If the wood feels soft or crumbles, there is definitely cause for concern. Wood rot can affect the structural integrity of your home.
- You feel stuffy. Humidity can cause people to experience respiratory concerns, especially when it also has caused mold, mildew, and bacteria to grow excessively in the home. If your nose frequently feels plugged up, it may be because your home is too damp.
How can I help keep decrease the humidity level in my home?
If you’ve noticed any of the conditions above, the chances are your home is too humid. So, what measures can you take today to reduce the amount of humidity in your home? Here are a few suggestions:
- Turn on the air conditioning. While your AC system is not a dehumidifier, it helps reduce humidity by bringing cool air in and drawing warm, humid air out.
- Make sure to turn on exhaust fans. When you shower or use your stovetop, warm, damp air is produced. Your exhaust fan will help draw it out.
- Cooldown your showers. Of course, hot showers feel great but they can exponentially add to the humidity level in your home. On damper days, taking a cooler shower can help.
- Make sure any leaking pipes are fixed. While there are many reasons why you’ll want to fix leaky pipes in your home, they can contribute to excessive moisture levels.
- Take advantage of cool breezes. If the weather outside is muggy, keeping the windows closed is a good plan of action. But if it’s a cooler, breezy day, opening a couple of windows helps.
I’ve taken these steps and it’s still too humid. What else can I do?
So, you’ve tried the above recommendations, but nothing is helping. In this instance, it’s likely time for you to consider installing a dehumidification system in your home. A whole-home dehumidifier is an especially good choice for homes that suffer from excessive moisture. The benefit of one of these dehumidifier types is that they are installed to work in conjunction with your home’s HVAC system. And, because they have a dedicated drain, you won’t have to worry about emptying water tanks.
Another benefit to a whole-home dehumidifier is that it will help keep all areas of your house free of excessive moisture, saving you from many of the issues we mentioned previously in this article. Plus, your air conditioning system will not have to work as hard – and that means it will use less energy, saving you money on your utility bills.
Ready for a more comfortable – and less humid – home? Give T.F. O’Brien a call.
At T.F. O’Brien, your comfort is always our number one priority. You rely on us for your HVAC needs, and you can count on us to help you get your home’s moisture level under control, too. If you’d like to learn more about how we can provide you with the dehumidification system you need, simply give us a call at 516.488.1800 and we will be more than happy to assist you.