Humidity is never fun. If it’s outside it can make you feel damp and sweaty and even make it difficult to breathe easily. If it’s inside your home, it can even be worse due to the fact it can cause mold and mildew to grow which can cause major problems of their own. If you are feeling like your home may be a little humid but you aren’t sure why or how you can help control the moisture, keep reading as providers of replacement windows in Orange, CA. share what you need to know.
What Causes Humidity in the Home?
Humidity in the home can be caused by several different factors. Some of the most common being:
- Cooking and boiling liquids in the kitchen
- Taking hot showers or baths
- Daily chores such as mopping, laundry, running the dishwasher, etc.
- Using a humidifier
- Having several houseplants
- Old windows that allow moisture and humidity in from the outside
- Leaks and cracks in your home around pipes and other items that is allowing the moisture to come in
Dangers of Too Much Humidity in Your Home
While a little humidity probably won’t cause many, if any, issues in your home, having a high level of humidity can. One of the biggest concerns for most homeowners when it comes to humidity in the home is the growth of mold and mildew. Mildew is typically found on surfaces such as shower curtains, windowsills, or tiles while mold is normally found deeper into walls and other structural materials. Both can cause serious damage to the items they reside on as well as the health of the people close by.
Other than health issues from mold and mildew, too much humidity can cause your paint and any wallpaper you may have on your walls to start peeling. It can also cause wood fixtures, flooring, and other furnishings to rot.
How to Control the Level of Humidity
Luckily, with a little knowledge and effort, you can control the level of humidity in your home to a comfortable and safe amount. Some of these ways include:
- Ventilation – Make sure your home has proper ventilation. You can do this by ensuring the ventilation fans that are in rooms such as the kitchen, laundry and bathroom are running properly and the right size for the space. You can also do this by ensuring all of your home windows are clean and can be easily open to air out your home.
- Don’t dry clothes indoors- Some people may choose to hang wet clothes to dry on a radiator or over the shower, but this practice can cause a large amount of moisture to be released into the air. Try and dry your clothes in the dryer or outside.
- Don’t over water your houseplants- Over watering your houseplants can cause excess moisture to build up. Also, if you have several plants, you may choose to gather them together in one space as this can help control the humidity.
- Replace old windows – Newer windows are so much more efficient at keeping outside moisture and humidity out. Not only that but installing new windows will ensure all gaps and cracks around the frame are gone and the seal is tight.
If you are ready for new replacement windows in Orange, CA., give us a call and we can help you select the best ones to help with your humidity needs.