Too much humidity can lead to unpleasant living conditions. Too much humidity can also lead to health problems. For these reasons, it’s important to take the necessary steps to remedy humidity problems in a house or apartment.
High humidity can lead to the proliferation of mold and mildew, which attack joints, woodwork, paintwork and furniture, as well as fabrics and clothing.
It can also affect the epidermis, causing dermatitis, and the lungs, promoting allergies and asthma.
Humidity can also cause or aggravate rheumatism.
Follow our advice to better understand and remedy dampness problems in your home.
Humidity in the home – why and how?
In winter, humidity levels should not fall below 30%, and in summer they should not exceed 55%.
These levels can be measured with a digital hygrometer. A hygrometer is a small device that displays the day’s maximum and minimum humidity levels. This means you’ll know more precisely what the humidity level is in each room of your home.
The causes of humidity are many and varied, so it’s not just a question of treating the symptoms, but above all of clearly remedying the problem, especially if the humidity level exceeds 70%.
How to spot excessive humidity
There are some unmistakable signs that can alert you to the presence of higher-than-normal levels of humidity in your home.
Buying a hygrometer can be a good way to get an idea of the humidity level in your home.
These signs include condensation on windows inside the house, stains on walls and ceilings, swelling and flaking of paint and/or wallpaper. There are also signs of blackening of tile joints and warping of joinery elements. Last but not least, there are often musty smells, and metal objects rust more quickly.
Causes of excess humidity
The causes of excessive humidity are many and varied.
It’s important to identify the causes so as to be able to remedy them effectively.
These include insufficient ventilation in rooms, which encourages condensation and therefore high humidity levels. This is often the case in damp rooms without windows, for example.
Humidity is also produced by the human metabolism. Of course, water infiltration is one of the most common causes. It’s not uncommon to have water infiltration or rising damp through the floor, and there may also be leaks. Insufficient insulation is another cause.
What can be done about damp in the home?
Once you’ve identified the cause of excessive damp in your home, you need to take a few precautions to get rid of the excess moisture. The problem needs to be solved quickly, but not just any old way. In general, the first thing to do is to improve ventilation in the dwelling, checking the air vents and adjusting them if any are missing. You need to check whether the glazing has any, and install VMC in the wettest rooms, especially if they have no windows or cafuron. You should also consider dehumidifiers to capture and trap humidity. It’s important to air every room in your house or apartment every day. When you’re cooking, heating water, etc., you need to use lids. If you’re drying clothes, dry them outside. If you have roof, floor or wall infiltrations, you need to call in professional specialists, depending on the problems detected. If cracks are present, these too need to be remedied. In the case of windows, especially if the seals are changing color, it’s best to call in the professionals.
Excessive damp in the home is a concern that may not be noticed at first. That’s why it’s so important to pay attention. Often, the original causes of damp and the final solutions can be very different. A proper diagnosis is therefore essential.
If work is required, you should be aware that there are government grants available to help you insulate your home.
