Why Your Home Is Too Humid and What You Can Do About It

Your home should always maintain a humidity level between thirty and fifty percent. However, too little humidity and you end up with a lot of upper respiratory issues and skin irritations because it’s too dry. Too much humidity can make you physically uncomfortable, sweaty, and cause mold and mildew growth in your home. If your house suffers from too much humidity, you have to find out why and work out a solution to fix it.

There Are Leaks Around Windows and Doors

When it’s warm and sticky outside, that humidity can drift inside through leaks and drafts around windows and doors. Sometimes this is obvious, particularly if your windows fog up and seem wet a lot. Replacing and/or sealing the windows and doors to prevent this can reduce the level of humidity entering your home.

Attic Fans Aren’t Working

Attic fans exist to dispel heat and moisture from your home. If the fans aren’t working, then the moisture and heat aren’t leaving. They become trapped and create a level of humidity in the home that’s unpleasant. Get a roofer to go up into your attic and check the fans to make sure they are working properly. Any fans that aren’t working should be repaired or replaced to help move more humidity out of your home.

Use Dehumidifiers or Dessicants in Containers

You can buy desiccants in buckets and hanging bags. These products draw moisture out of the air, into and through the desiccant material. Place them where it’s wettest (e.g., bathrooms under the sink, under the kitchen sink, etc.). You can also buy dehumidifiers and plug them in around the home to help dry out the house.

Another solution is a whole-house humidity control appliance. It is wired into your HVAC system and helps control humidity when your A/C or heat are in use.

Chandler Roncancio