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What are the sources of humidity in my home?
Humidity is the amount of moisture or water vapor in the air. It can come from any number of sources. People and pets produce moisture when they breathe or perspire. Plants produce moisture. We add water vapor through routine household activities such as cooking, showering and bathing, laundry, and dishwashing. Moisture can also enter the home from leaks in the roof and walls, from the surrounding soil, through a basement or crawlspace, and through uncontrolled air leakage.
How do I know I have a problem?
If you have too much humidity in your home, it will show up as condensation on windows, wet stains on walls or ceilings, a moldy bathroom, musty smells (particularly in the basement), frost buildup in the attic, and allergic symptoms in family members. If you have too little humidity, you may notice chapped skin and lips, scratchy nose and throat, breathing problems, static and sparks, problems with electronic equipment, and cracks in wood floors or furniture.
How can humidity cause problems?
All living things need moisture to grow, but some organisms particularly thrive in very moist environments. Of these, molds are the leading cause of health problems associated with excessive humidity. Other moisture-
loving, pathogenic pests include mildew and other types of fungi, dust mites, some bacteria, and viruses. When airborne, these organisms can be inhaled into the lungs. Allergic reactions are the most common problem associated with biological agents. People with asthma are especially susceptible to problems with allergies. Their very sensitive airways can react to various allergens and irritants, making breathing difficult. Many biological contaminants also cause infectious diseases, which can readily spread among family members, especially if air circulation is poor. Finally, some molds can induce toxic reactions. Young children and elderly people are particularly at risk for these health problems.
How can I get rid of molds?
Even if you eliminate condensation and lower humidity levels in your home, existing molds can persist and continue to release spores. The best strategy is to physically remove the mold. Use pure chlorine bleach to clean moldy surfaces. Use a mixture of one part chlorine bleach, two parts water, and a little detergent to clean nearby surfaces. Leave cleaned surfaces to dry for 15 minutes and then rinse well. Use gloves and protective glasses and remember to ventilate well. If you suffer from allergies or asthma, it is best if you have someone else do the clean-up for you. Badly mildewed carpets, furnishings, and books will probably need to be thrown out.
How can I fix excess humidity in my home?
It is always better to solve a problem at the source than it is to deal with the symptoms. The following are tips for preventing a build-up of humidity:
Avoid line-drying clothes indoors;
Vent dryers to the outside;
Cover exposed earth in a crawlspace with heavy polyethylene, sealed and weighed down;
Slope soil away from foundations;
Patch any foundation leaks;
Don't dry firewood indoors;
Operate bathroom exhaust fans during a bath or shower, and make sure fans are vented to the outdoors;
Add insulation to cold surfaces;
Use a range hood when cooking.
How do I know if I need professional help?
If indoor humidity levels are high and moisture sources can't be reduced any further, then your home will probably require professional help from a qualified HVAC contractor who has experience with indoor air quality problems. Such a contractor will assess the indoor environment of your home for moisture problems, taking into account the type and condition of your current heating, cooling, and air quality equipment.
The following equipment may be recommended to solve any humidity problem in your home:
A heat-recovery ventilator (HRV). An HRV increases the fresh oxygen in your home by providing continuous ventilation without wasting a lot of energy. HRVs work by first extracting the heat from indoor air before it is exhausted outside, and transferring this heat to the fresh, in-coming air.
An air conditioner and/or dehumidifier. Either of these (and sometimes both) is a must for controlling humidity in the summer.
An ultraviolet air purifier. This will kill any mold that becomes airborne and removes odours, and should be seen as a complementary strategy to humidity reduction and mold removal.
For a number of years now, Anchor ClimateCARE has been helping homeowners to solve their indoor air quality problems, including those stemming from excess humidity. If you suspect a humidity-related problem in your home, please don’t hesitate to call us with your questions.
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