Moisture is a problem that is commonly found in our homes. The causes are many and difficult to identify. The consequences (saltpeter, mold, etc.) are harmful to the integrity of the construction and safety of its inhabitants. What are the inconveniences of humidity? In addition to harming your health, humidity can cause a lot of problems to your home, damaging furniture, walls and so on. Find out more on the effects of high indoor humidity in this article.
Factors favoring humidity
Several factors can be combined to promote the appearance of moisture in a house: one can, among others, to question the poor ventilation, poor insulation of the bathroom or the kitchen, water infiltration and leaks, etc.
Even in newer homes that are well insulated and warm, moisture may still appear. Indeed, any home, if it is not sufficiently ventilated, is subject to condensation. Indoor air that is loaded with water vapor (particularly in the kitchen and bathroom) comes into contact with cold surfaces (walls, windows) and is deposited as droplets.
Different sources and signs of humidity
Signs of moisture in a home, such as mold, stains are easily recognizable. But it is much more difficult to identify the causes, as they are diverse. Mold spores are often present in homes. We tend to see only the aesthetic disorders they are caused by this problem. Yet, they are especially dangerous for our health. They affect the quality of the air and cause health problems, such as respiratory disease, sometimes serious, like asthma or bronchitis. These diseases are mainly affecting children and the elderly. It is therefore important to identify the source of moisture.
How does moisture affect the structure of our home?
Moisture is an undeniable risk to the stability of the building, as it causes rotting of wood components, such as floor beams or frames. It also affects the insulation, piping etc. The house may even collapse! It is important not to underestimate the threat of moisture to the safety of residents. If you plan to sell a house that has humidity problems, keep in mind that any buyer has the right to live in decent housing with no risk to his health or his safety. Moisture problems also imply house repair services that can be very expensive.
What are the effects of humidity on health?
The water on walls, foundations, etc. are causing all kinds of damage in the house, such as mold growth on walls and tiles, wood decay, bad odors and many more…Even worse, the presence of moisture in a home can impact the health of its occupants. Moisture promotes the development of allergies to mold and dust mites. In the presence of humidity, fungi or mites some of these allergies will then cause respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, etc., as well as other diseases such as conjunctivitis or rhinitis. Arthritis, osteoarthritis and rheumatism are also favored by moisture.
How to reduce humidity in your house
Installing one of the top rated dehumidifiers in your home is most the best solution if you want to get rid of mold or other problems cause by excessive moisture. Dehumidifiers extract the large amount of moisture from the air so you can breathe freely again. These powerful devices are very effective in reducing the level of humidity indoors to a normal value, of 40% or 50% humidity. Nevertheless, keep in mind that not all dehumidifiers are equally efficient, so read some reviews if you want to discover which are the top rated dehumidifiers units.
