Moisture that accumulates in our home is a common occurrence. Although a few droplets on the window or underneath the kitchen sink might seem harmless, there are a few dangers involved when it gets out of hand.
When moisture levels exceed certain amounts, it can be harmful to our families. Mold thrive in areas that are damp and wet. An excessive amount of mold will eventually have a harmful effect on air quality. It’s therefore important that you call the professional whenever you notice high moisture levels in your home.
How High Is Too High?
By using a clever hygrometer, you’ll be able to measure moisture levels within the home. Levels inside a home should never exceed 20%. By purchasing a dehumidifier, you can extract excess moisture levels above 20% out of the room. You can also invest in a humidifier when levels are too low.
Needless to say, home remedies aren’t as effective as hiring a professional vochtbestrijding company. When humidity levels are higher than 50% it’s time to pick up the phone.
Most moisture control companies give free quotations and it will be wise to consult one in any of the following instances:
When You or Someone in Your Family has Medical Symptoms
When the humidity level inside the home is too high, someone who suffers from allergies will experience heightened symptoms. Symptoms will include sneezing, itchy eyes and nose, runny nose, and watery eyes.
If there aren’t anything in your immediate area that might be the cause of your allergy reaction, then you might have to measure the humidity levels.
In cases of low humidity levels, your family might experience extremely itchy skin with red patches, as well as a dry and stuffy nose.
Mold Growth
Mold on walls, under carpets, and paint are the first signs that the humidity levels in a specific room is too high. The fungus is green or black in color and grow in areas where there are constant dampness. You can also spot it from water stains on the ceilings and walls as well as a musty damp smell. Mold has horrendous medical consequences when left untreated.
Mold usually starts to grow in areas where there are loads of water. Typically, the bathroom, shower or underneath a sink. Make sure you dry clothes and towels completely to prevent mildew and mold from growing.
Learn more about the dangers of mold here: https://www.webmd.com/women/qa/what-is-mold
When There’s Damage to the Structure of Your Home
High moisture levels will have a bad effect on a building’s structure. Sometimes moisture seeps in from the exterior walls and into the bricks and cement of the walls. You can easily spot it when paint starts to bubble off of the walls.
Wood from kitchen and sink cabinets will show signs of rotting and disintegration. This might be due to a leak or burst in the plumbing system.
In cases where the humidity levels are too low, wooden furniture will start to shrink and crack. Rooms that have extremely low moisture levels will experience a lot of electrostatic shock. Whenever you touch a metallic object (or even a person), a light shock will run through your hand.
Condensation
When humid air comes in contact with cold surfaces it creates small water droplets, this is known as condensation. When you spot water droplets on areas, that shouldn’t be wet under normal circumstances, you might have to consider phoning a moisture control company.
Click here to learn more about moisture control in a basement.
Abnormal Number of Insects or Pests
There are loads of insects that multiply in damp conditions. Insects like ants, cockroaches, and mosquitoes love to crawl around in wet conditions. Other bugs that may indicate a rise in moisture are silverfish, centipedes, and earwigs.
When you see an abnormal increase in pests around the house, it might be because your home’s humidity levels aren’t in order. You can try to keep them out by cleaning areas with special cleaning products, although this won’t solve the problem.
High humidity levels might not be as visible as you might think. So, it’s important that you consult damp proofing experts in this field to do regular check-ups especially if you live in a rainy or snowy environment.
