Moisture in the Home
Today we’re broaching a topic I both love and hate:
Moisture in the home.
I love this topic because it’s so important, and I hate it because I know exactly what happens when it isn’t addressed: mold. Some people will call it mildew and therefore believe it’s always harmless, but that’s just another description for mold. Mold spores always exist everywhere, both outside and inside, and not necessarily always causing any troubles. It’s when greater quantities are found in the air or on a surface that things get dicey.
In winter or colder season, depending on where you live, there can be less moisture, and sometimes actually humidifiers are needed for helping colds etc. -- but most of the year, moisture still needs to be addressed.
This winter home is a bit too dry: the humidity should be between 45-55 percent.
Typically large amounts of moisture in the home are caused by leaks, cracks, windows, roofs, siding, attics, insulation issues, basements, and other large housing materials. These larger and influential construction/home repair issues are the main contributors to home moisture and need to be looked at by a home professional, and I’m not at all qualified to address these bigger issues.
However, here are some small-scale, simple ideas I've discovered over the years for looking at preventing small elevated amounts of moisture around your belongings and home interior:
Use a Dehumidifier.
Dehumidifier buckets being cleaned. We use two dehumidifiers in our home.
Can’t stress this enough. Most basements should have one, any slab on grade home or home with significant moisture in the air should have one.
TIP: Do an internet search for your model and recalls, as this appliance type frequently gets recalled for fire hazards.
It should be running to maintain 45-55 percent moisture in the air. This is optimum for home percentages- any lower and the air is too dry, any higher and the moisture can lead to an increase in mold spores and bacteria.
2. Storage.
Don’t use cardboard for storage. It attracts moisture. Use plastic bins where possible.
3. Test for Moisture.
Get a small moisture meter and use it in your home on building materials. These days you can get one from Amazon or Home Depot that uses a laser instead of poking holes in your drywall.
Using a moisture meter on drywall. Do some research to find the appropriate ideal moisture level for each material you test as they vary.
Use it to check the walls, particularly around doors and windows to see if there is moisture coming into the walls at these points. Be aware that there is an interior metal trim at window corners that can give false high readings. This is tricky because leakage at these points can also often cause unseen moisture.
Ductwork and pipes behind a wall will also give falsely high readings. Different building materials will throw up different readings, so be sure you have it on the right material setting. If you are finding high wall numbers on both dry and wet days, hot and cold seasons, consult a construction professional to figure out why your home has moisture in the walls.
4. Mold
If you find mold in your home larger than 1 square foot, call someone for help. Do your research and perhaps don’t necessarily jump straight to a mold remediation company (unless necessary) as they might not give a trustworthy assessment of the situation. Instead, check out a mold testing company first. They will impartially test the air with samples against a control from outside, check your whole house/walls for moisture, and review areas of concern.
5. Damp Rid
We have this in every closet in our home. TIP: Watch out for pets and consider carefully before using this product or where you place it, especially if you have kids or cats who climb, because these crystals are very toxic for pets.
They do a great job of picking up moisture in small spaces, especially laundry rooms.
6. Dust
Dust your belongings. It may sound dumb and overly simple, but just keep on dusting. Mold needs moisture and something to grow on. Take away the dust and there’s less organic material for it to attach to. Plus, dusting into the nooks and crannies of your home will let you see if there’s any spots of concern that you’d usually miss.
Wrapping it Up
Scare tactics! I know! And no home is perfect – ours needs TLC in both summer and winter for air that ranges from too moist to too dry. There’s larger factors such as insulation and attics and windows that contribute to inner-wall air quality, and the small measures above aren’t a replacement for tackling the biggies, but I am not a construction expert so we’ll stop this diatribe here. Please consult someone if you have concerns! A little caution goes a long way.
So check out your home in both winter and summer as it can vary, and happy homemaking!
Note: I am not endorsed by any manufacturers pictured here. Product images are for suggestion only.