Excess moisture within a home can cause a plethora of issues for homeowners: mold, damage to furniture, exacerbation of health issues like asthma, and more. That begs the question: what can I do to better control humidity in my home so that I can protect my family and possessions from risk and damage? First, you should learn the main signs of high home humidity.

These signs include: 

• A bathroom that stays damp for long time after showers 
• Condensation on your windows during wintertime 
• Visible mold, commonly found in corners  
• Furniture or wall warping or discoloration

Second, you should learn what things you can do to better control the humidity within your home. We’ll cover those below.

Keep an eye out for hidden plumbing leaks.

Proper plumbing maintenance will help protect your home from unwanted excess moisture. If a leak is hidden, the moisture it introduces can build up over time and cause damage throughout your entire home. Hidden leaks are most commonly found in walls, ceilings, or basements. You can pinpoint if you have one by monitoring your water meter and water bill for odd behavior.

Keep an eye on your windows.

Excessive moisture on windows or other cool surfaces is almost always the result of a thermostat set too high. Check your thermostat’s user guide and make sure that the settings haven’t somehow changed from where they need to be. 

Invest in dehumidifiers.

Depending on the size of your home and the size of your humidity problem, you have two options. You can purchase individual dehumidifiers for problem areas or you can upgrade your entire space by installing a whole home dehumidifier. 

Practice better weatherproofing.

If the air in your home is leaving through cracks in windows or other entry points, it’ll be harder for your thermostat to regulate it. Regularly check the caulking around windows for cracking or need for repair and, if you see an issue, fix it immediately. You can also use plastic lining over windows in winter months for better temperature maintenance.

Make sure your insulation is up to the task.

How old is the insulation within your home? Are only exterior walls insulated, leaving closets or interior rooms less comfortable? If you’re unsure about the current state of your home’s insulation, it’s a good time to have a professional inspect your home to see if it’s time for an upgrade.

Keep your ducts clean.

To keep the relative humidity in your home controlled, your thermostat needs to be able to easily move the air throughout your room as needed. If your vents and ducts aren’t clean, they’re more likely to have blockages that make it harder for the air to move. Keep ducts clean by changing filters regularly, using high efficiency filters, and vacuuming regularly with a HEPA vacuum so dust has less of a chance to enter the system.

If you have to spend time indoors, whether it’s due to weather or business, you want that time spent comfortably. A home with ideal humidity levels is a home that’s going to be easier to live, work, and enjoy yourself in. If you’re interested in getting professional help balancing the humidity levels in your home, schedule an appointment with the team at Welter Heating.