No doubt, environmental factors have a considerable impact on you and your house. A careful balance in the level of these factors is an utmost requirement for the maintenance of your health and property. Humidity is one of the most significant environmental factors that affect you. Seasonal changes often disturb the humidity level in your house. Low humidity levels can lead to many problems. The same is the case with excessive humidity.
If you have noticed a musty smell, foggy windows, and mold on the walls, then your house is dealing with a high level of humidity. You might also feel excessive sweating, stuffy feeling, and a high rate of allergies.
Have you ever thought “Why is my house so humid?” If “Yes” then here is the answer. There are numerous causes of humidity. If you want to know the cause of humidity in your house, then read this article till the end.
Causes of High Humidity in a House
The root cause of high humidity in a house is high moisture levels. The moisture can increase in a house due to various reasons. If you are searching for “Why is the humidity so high in my house?” then here are the reasons. Also, you can read here about the ideal humidity level in your house.
Climate
Climate is the major cause of high humidity in your house. If the climate of your area is moist, then water vapors created by bathing, cooking, breathing can’t leave the house. When moisture remains within the house, it makes the environment favorable for fungal growth. Most of the regions with high rainfall have high humidity. The houses there usually have higher humidity as compared to those that are in a low moisture area.
Bathing
Bathrooms usually have higher moisture content than surrounding areas. The humidity increases in a bathroom after a bath. The water vapors rise and moisten the air. This moist air when encounters a cold surface, the water vapors deposited there as water droplets.
The deposition of moisture in the air on a surface is due to the condensation process. Condensation is a process by which water vapors convert into liquid water.
Cooking
If you are thinking “why is it so humid in my house?” then cooking can be a reason. Cooking is an exciting activity, but it can also lead to a high humidity level in your house. A lot of water evaporates during cooking and boiling water. These vapours become a part of the air and are then deposited on the surrounding surfaces by condensation.
Gas Heaters
Gas heaters are also a cause of high humidity. The gas heater operates by the combustion of gas. As a result of combustion, various pollutants release along with water vapors as a by-product. These water vapors increase the moisture content of the room. According to research, the combustion of one pound of methane gas produces 2.25 pounds of water vapors.
Unflued gas heaters do not have any chimney, so the moisture remains within the house. If your room does not have enough fresh air, the water vapors condense quickly on the windows, walls, and ceiling to produce water droplets.
Poor Ventilation
The moisture in your house is directly affected by the ventilation of your house. Better ventilation allows the fresh air to circulate throughout and removes the moisture that is built up in the house. With poor ventilation, the air becomes stale, and the moisture can’t be eliminated from the house. It leads to the growth of pathogens that are the ultimate cause of infections and allergies. The moisture also increases the fungal growth on the walls of the house.
Rising Damp
Have you asked yourself “Why is my house humid?” When you couldn’t find any apparent cause of humidity, then it might be hidden in the roots of your house. Rising damp is the rising of moisture through the porous walls of the house, cracks in the building, and leaks in the pipes. The moisture rises in a hidden manner and wets the walls of the house. The damp walls act as the best place for the growth of pathogens and molds.
How to Reduce Humidity
High humidity is hard to deal with, but it’s not impossible to cope with it. There are a lot of ways that can help you minimize the moisture content from your house. The following are some of the best ways that you can employ to reduce humidity from your house:
Using Dehumidifier
A dehumidifier is a device that removes the moisture from the air and stores it in a bucket. You can empty the bucket periodically. While using it, never place it close to the walls or other objects that prevent proper airflow.
Dehumidifiers come in various sizes. You can purchase small sized dehumidifiers for one room to a larger one for the entire house.
Proper Ventilation
Proper ventilation is the best solution for the humidity of your house. You can reduce the level of humidity from your house by ventilating all the areas that have high moisture content, like your kitchen, and bathroom. You can use an inline duct fan from TerraBloom to help with air circulation. Turn on the vent fans and leave them for a while until all the moisture is eliminated. Open the windows and vents if you do not have a vent fan.
Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping is another awesome way to reduce the moisture from your house. Weatherstripping is a flexible and adhesive material that is attached under the doors and the windows. It acts as an airtight seal that prevents the cold and warm air from escaping out. It could be the best way to reduce the humidity if you are a resident of a warmer climate that has high moisture content.
Final Verdict
The elevated humidity level can cause you adverse health issues and damage your property. So, find the root cause of high humidity in your house and eliminate it by using a dehumidifier, proper ventilation, and weatherstripping. Minimize the level of humidity from your house and maintain your health and your house.