Solving High Humidity Problems in the Home

Water and excessive moisture in your home or basement can do a lot of damage and cause unpleasant musty odors. What can you do as a homeowner to solve the problem of high humidity levels? First of all, in the vast majority of cases, the problems are outside, not within the walls of your home. Often the water in the basement itself is the result of outdoor water pooling; Look for better landscaping and gutter and eave roughing systems to direct water away from the exterior walls of your home. However, even with the best plans and planning, water can seep through cracks, or even almost like a deluge, into basement areas. So what work can be done to reduce the humidity levels in your home to acceptable levels to work to control or at least stop the situation?

If it’s simply a matter of moisture in your basement, that cold chill that then grows mold, then the necessary steps may not involve cracks in the basement walls. Look to reduce and eliminate moisture levels in basement areas and indeed throughout the home. Increase overall ventilation by using vents and venting the biggest moisture producers in your home to outside air. Common culprits to consider include appliances like gas or electric washing machines, dishwashers, and clothes dryers.

Dryers must be vented to outside air. If vents already exist, make sure the piping and vent are clear and unobstructed. Exterior exits must not be blocked, they must be clear. Lint vents may need to be cleaned. It’s a good idea to have a fan directed to the outside in the kitchen and bathroom areas to vent moist indoor air to the outside. If exhaust fans are installed in these areas, make sure, like dryers, that aisles are clear, exhaust ports open and clear as well. In some older homes, the vent may not be to the outside of the house, but to the attic. In earlier times, before solid and comprehensive insulation practices, this was “good enough” as attics were drafty and not airtight. It was easier and cheaper to just blow off steam in the attic. If this is the situation, extend the vent from the attic to the outdoors. Some homeowners have dealt with moisture problems in their homes and in a home by installing additional attic vents to remove and control high moisture levels. It’s your choice and heating budget so to speak.