How Much Humidity Is Too Much?

The amount of humidity is important to keep an eye on and needs to be at a certain range between 30%-60%. However, how do you know when there’s too much humidity? What happens if the humidity gets too high? What do you do if it does get too high? This article will be able to answer all of these questions. 

Water Damage Restoration – Lewisville

What Does High Humidity Look Like?

High humidity creates excess moisture and condensation that can cause a multitude of issues. It begins to cause problems when the home is regularly at a humidity level of more than 60%. Here are some issues that can arise when you are experiencing a high humidity level on a regular basis. 

Mold & Mildew

Mold can have several negative impacts on the body and immune system. The most common effect that mold has on our bodies is allergic reactions that can also cause asthma attacks, eye and/or skin irritation, irritated throats/noses, and lung problems. Repeated mold exposure can increase one’s sensitivity, causing more severe allergic reactions. Exposure to certain molds that produce toxins called mycotoxins can cause more serious illnesses as well. 

Damaged Items In The Home

Most items in our home do not handle moisture very well as they are not designed to do so. Paint will begin to crack, and the wallpaper will begin to peel. Anything that is wood like furniture, floors, window frames, etc., will absorb excess moisture, creating stains and growths. The longer these items are exposed, the less likely that any water damage restoration will be an option. On top of this, high moisture can cause plaster, joists, or studs to swell, leading to cracks which are extremely expensive repairs.

Combatting High Humidity

To avoid most kinds of humidity causing water damage, there are a few ways to ensure that the humidity in your home won’t get too high.

Proper Ventilation 

Proper ventilation is key when trying to keep moisture levels at bay, especially when using the shower, cooking, or doing laundry. This can be as simple as opening a window but you can also make use of the A/C unit or fans. Use the ventilation hood when cooking, and use extractor vents when taking a shower or doing laundry. When doing laundry, avoid drying wet clothes in the home especially if you already struggle with high levels of moisture. 

Constant Temperature

A huge factor in high humidity levels is not keeping a consistent temperature level. When you are constantly changing the temperature in the home, it creates an opportunity for condensation. As the temperature rises, the amount of moisture that can be in the air also increases. If you quickly change the air from hot to cold, warm air will cool too fast and turn into condensation. If you need to lower the temperature in your home, do so slowly and keep the temperature constant. 

Ultimately, high humidity levels can cause lots of damage in your home including water damage. If you have been affected by water damage, it’s important to reach out to professionals to help you combat it. Professionals at Restoration 1 can restore any water damage and help you prevent it from happening again in the future.