In many cases, where there’s heat, there’s humidity. Humidity, measured by the amount of water vapor present in the air, is higher in warmer months than in colder months. Just as humidity can make it difficult to breathe outdoors, it can cause health problems and structural damage to the interior of the home, but how do you know if humidity in your home is a problem?
Ceiling Biological Growth
Biological growth typically doesn’t cause problems in indoor spaces except through damp surfaces or sources of consistent moisture. When high humidity, essentially water, is trapped between the floors of the home, black patches of biological growth may appear over time. At first, the patches may look like small discolorations, but as the problem progresses and grows, the spots may increase in darkness, number, or size.
Condensation on Windows
Image via Flickr by ljguitar
When water condensation or beading appears on the interior of the home’s windows, it’s a clear sign of too much humidity in the home. This liquid will collect on all surfaces of the window, potentially sinking into the wood and seals and causing biological growth that may appear as dark spots or patches on the window frame. If left unaddressed for too long, window repair or new window installation may be required to eradicate the problem.
Musty, Stale Odors
If you’ve noticed a musty or stale odor in any room of your home, there’s likely biological growth somewhere in the room. The odor may be confined to a single space, such as the laundry room, or to multiple spaces in the home. Biological growth can cause breathing issues, allergic reactions, and other health problems, especially in young children, older adults, and people with medical issues that affect breathing.
Peeling Paint
If water or moisture is collecting in the walls of the home, it will eventually seep through the materials and come in contact with the paint. The moisture behind the paint will cause bubbling or peeling. The peeling paint may be obvious before any visible signs of biological growth, such as dark patches on the walls or ceiling.
Warped Floors
Just as moisture can become trapped between the materials of the ceiling and walls, floors are also susceptible to humidity. If you notice floors that are warped or disfigured, this can be an indication that the materials are collecting and holding on to moisture, increasing the risk of biological growth and associated potential health problems. Preventing this biological growth is crucial to protecting the health of everyone in the home.
How to Tackle Home Humidity Problems
If you’ve noticed signs of humidity problems in the home, a single portable dehumidifier may not be enough to handle the excess moisture. To ensure you find the source of the problem and a solution to protect your entire home, it may be time to call in an indoor air quality expert such as Bass-Air. HVAC professionals can assess the home’s air quality and work within your system to reduce humidity and the risk of moisture and biological growth to overall health.
If you’re seeing any of these signs of a humidity problem in your home, it may be time to call in the pros. Quick intervention can prevent issues that can adversely affect human health and the health of your home.
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