Today’s energy-efficient homes are built tightly to seal out the cold weather in winter and keep in the air conditioning in summer. Because of this, it is possible that a new home can be severely damaged by lack of ventilation or by excess moisture. It is important to remember that moisture damage caused by improper or inadequate use of your ventilation system, is not covered by the new home warranty.
What causes moisture damage?
- Leaks can occur from pipes, drains or appliances. These leaks have to be cleaned immediately or it can cause condensation and high humidity levels.
- Ignoring the humidity levels in your home might lead to problems such as rot, mold, and even structural failure.
How can I control moisture?
- Always use your home ventilation system to control moisture. regular use of your home ventilation system will exhaust excess airborne moisture caused by bathing, showering, doing laundry and cooking.
- Purchase a “hygrometer” to monitor the relative humidity in your home.
- In the winter, keep the relative humidity in your home in the range of 30-45%. Lower humidity levels may affect your health and cause things made of wood to shrink. Excess humidity can cause condensation on windows and damage the surrounding wall. When using a humidifier, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Buy a humidifier if the relative humidity drops below 35%.
- In the summer, purchase a “dehumidifier”. Dehumidify the basement to avoid condensation buildup on the cool foundation walls. Relative humidity levels should not exceed 60%.
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