When we talk about moisture in our homes, we don’t expect it to be a considerable impediment to the structural integrity of our abode. It is something that’s naturally occurring and will always be there, no matter what. However, homeowners shouldn’t take such a thing too lightly.

Moisture can build up inside your home through various sources. It can penetrate your house through seepage or leakage from the ceilings or even basement floors.

When moisture finds its way inside your house, it usually results in mold and mildew buildup, which can cause serve damage to your health and property.

The mold and mildew deteriorate your home’s structure and lead to wet stains, peeled-off paint, and bent wooden floors. These issues are something homeowners don’t want to deal with at any given time of the year.

That said, let us take a detailed look at what homeowners can do to get rid of moisture issues inside their homes.

Ensure proper ventilation

A proper ventilation system is crucial if you want to rid your house of moisture problems, especially in rooms that tend to build moisture, such as your kitchen. We tend to cook many things in the kitchen throughout the day, and moisture accumulation is quite common in this area.

Something as effortless as installing a small ventilation fan and leaving it switched on for an hour or so will drastically lower the room’s moisture levels.

If you cannot install a ventilation fan inside a particular room, crack open a few windows to let the moisture escape on its own.

Waterproof your basement walls

It is essential to waterproof your basement walls, especially if you’ve stored a washer there and the walls are made of cement. Basements are known for their high moisture levels since air cannot easily pass through this region of the house.

Water vapors can seep up from your basement to your home’s foundation and can promote mold growth. It will eventually eat up your house’s wooden foundation, and you could be looking at hundreds of thousands of dollars in water damage repair costs.

Fortunately, waterproofing your basement walls and ceiling will stop moisture from seeping into other parts of your home.

If it has already made its way through the house’s foundation, causing water damage, you need to get the experts on board. It’s best to hire a water damage advisor who can tackle the situation professionally and immediately. Doing so will allow you to know the extent of the water damage and how you can eradicate it.

Use your ceiling fans

It is one of the easiest and simplest ways to combat moisture. Fans promote evaporation, facilitate air circulation, and naturally ventilate any room. Also, proper airflow reduces mold and mildew growth as these fungi prefer moist areas with no moving air. Installing small ceiling fans in rooms that see more moisture than usual can be incredibly beneficial for moisture removal.

Cover indoor plant soil

Plants add to the aesthetical value of your home and absorb tons of moisture from the air. However, plants release more water vapor than they absorb moisture. That said, it doesn’t mean that you round up all your indoor plants and throw them in the trash can. Instead, check if you’ve placed indoor plants inside particular rooms that contain a more humid environment than others.

Additionally, you can cover up the plant’s soil with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Doing so will decrease the amount of water evaporating from the plant’s soil and into your home’s air.

Invest in a dehumidifier

If you’re feeling a little sticky inside your house, chances are you need an air dehumidifier. As its name suggests, a dehumidifier is a small, capsule-shaped electronic device that can remove moisture from your home’s air. On average, an air dehumidifier can remove around forty-five pints of moisture per day.

It is easy to relocate, and you can move it from one room to another without any hassle. Therefore, consider investing in a couple of high-quality air dehumidifiers and place them in rooms that see more moisture than usual.

Change your carpets

If you’ve carpeted your rooms, chances are it is retaining tons of moisture. Not to mention, your carpets might become a breeding ground for mold and mildew due to high moisture retention. Additionally, dust mites love a moist environment.

If you feel that your carpets are cold or damp most of the time, it is now time to replace them. Nonetheless, you can always hire a professional carpet cleaning company to breathe some life back into your existing carpets.

Install ACs inside your home

Air conditioners keep your home cool while also removing moisture from the air. Many new AC models come with a dehumidifying feature to keep your home from building excessive humidity. That said, it is preferable to turn on your AC and its dehumidifier function earlier in the day to maintain low moisture levels. Besides, it is easier to maintain your home’s moisture levels than to reduce high moisture levels from the air.

 

Conclusion

Moisture levels that are too low or too high can damage your home’s structure. Not to mention, it can lead to severe health issues when you breathe in the air that’s full of mold and mildew spores.

Therefore, consider following some smart tips to ensure your home remains structurally sounds and you and your family breathe in high-quality, bacteria-free air. Invest in a ventilation system, check for water damages around the house, and be proactive to prevent the issues from aggravating.

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