The amount of water vapor in the air is known as humidity. Every home produces plenty of humidity through cooking, taking hot showers, and even breathing. Moisture is also released from the soil and into the darkened, damp spaces of the crawl space and basement, affecting humidity levels in the lowest levels of the home.

The ideal humidity level inside a home is 40 to 60 percent. When humidity levels reach beyond or below this range, they can wreak problems for people and their environment. Following are the issues homeowners will encounter when the hygrometer hits excessively high or extremely low points.

Problem #1: Condensation

Air can hold only a certain amount of water. This amount is dependent on the temperature of the air. Generally, warm air contains more moisture than cold air. Consequently, when warm air meets cooler surfaces, such as a faucet or window, moisture is dropped. This release is known as condensation.

Most often, condensation occurs with high humidity levels inside the home. Winter months are notorious for frequent bouts of condensation forming on windows, walls, and behind furniture. As droplets of water dwell upon porous surfaces, like wood, the situation becomes problematic.

Adverse consequences of condensation inside the home are many. The walls can form damp patches, especially in corners or behind furniture. Wallpaper is likely to peel. Mildew gets a stronghold on fabrics. The biggest concern is mold growth, especially black mold colonies that feed on the moisture.

Problem #2: Mold Infestations

Mold flourishes in areas that supply constant moisture. Recurring condensation offers dependable nourishment to mold spores and results in explosive mold growth. Water inside air ducts, along concrete walls and inside plumbing pipes attracts mold and allows the spores to thrive.

Bathrooms are hotbeds for mold spores due to the constant, high moisture levels inside. Check under the sink and between shower tiles—areas where moisture is prevalent—and find flurries of mold. Run the fan for 30 minutes after showering to limit mold colonies.

Mold invasions may be restricted in other ways. If living in a humid area, fit the home with materials that are resistant to mold, such as moisture-resistant drywall, plastic, glass and metal. Paint the home with mildewcides to inhibit mold. Run the air conditioner often to keep humidity levels down.

Problem #3: Structural Damage

A home environment riddled with high humidity will begin to show signs of rot. Prolonged bouts of excess moisture in the air affects the structural integrity of the property, especially wood components. For example, wooden window sills are susceptible to rotting, as are hardwood floors.

Wood naturally expands and contracts in accordance with the moisture content of the surrounding air. Products made from wood tend to swell when exposed to water. Sustained exposure to moisture is known to prevent the wood from returning to its original size.

Even dry heat, such as that from a heating system in winter, can be destructive to wood products, like cabinetry and flooring. Shrinkage of wood occurs as it loses moisture. In cabinetry, jointed areas begin to display gaps. In summer, when the wood regains moisture, these gaps close up.

The best way to preserve the wood is to maintain recommended humidity levels. Homeowners with wood products that are constantly exposed to water are advised to select wood materials that are resistant to fluctuations in humidity—such as softwood rather than hardwood.

Problem #4: Health Issues

When air feels clammy due to high humidity levels, discomfort arises. Especially when the temperature and humidity levels are high, the human body is limited in its ability to cool down; heat stroke may result. Vulnerable people, such as those with heart conditions, are advised to reduce indoor humidity levels.

Low humidity levels equally produce uncomfortable home environments. People who dwell in areas with low humidity experience dry skin, lips, and hair as well as chapping, itchiness, and scratchy throats. Under such conditions, the body’s moisture evaporates rapidly, leading to feeling chilly even when the heat is high.

A hygrometer, which is a humidity sensor, indicates the relative indoor humidity level. Using this device, homeowners are easily able to gauge whether the humidity is too high or too low. Installing a humidifier in the HVAC system is a convenient way to introduce moisture in an excessively dry environment.

How to Fix Humidity Problems

Issues with humidity may be resolved with a few alterations to everyday activities. For instance, if the home’s humidity is too low, cook with the lids off the pots to release moisture into the air. Growing houseplants is a practical way to encourage moisture in a low-humidity area.

In a space that is overrun with humidity, install a dehumidifier. While cooking, turn on the range fan. Instead of boiling water with the lid off, in a humid environment, cook with the lid on. Rather than grow many plants, reduce the number of greenery inside an overly humid home.

Water Damage Restoration and Mold Removal from High Humidity

Water damage, whether it is due to extremely high humidity or floods, spreads rapidly. Proactive homeowners rely on reputable water damage restoration services when excessive moisture makes an unanticipated and unwelcome entrance inside a home.

Professionals offer dependable water damage restoration services that are crucial when a pipe bursts or rainwater floods the property. Experienced technicians arrive onsite with advanced equipment to extract all excess water. Specialists use powerful dehumidifiers and air movers to eliminate the surplus moisture content in the area.

Cutting-edge technology, like specially designed moisture meters, allows the technicians to spot hidden water-logged spaces with precision. Uncovering concealed moisture sources is critical in the prevention of future mold and mildew growth. These comprehensive services also include repairing affected structural elements.

About Vince Sandri

Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restoration, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like flooding, water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restoration providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restoration to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like flooding, fire, smoke, and mold can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.