Get Ready for Des Moines Humidity
Summer is right around the corner along with the hot and humid Des Moines weather. As we plan for outdoor activities, vacations and pool time, don’t forget to also plan for the humidity in your home.
High humidity feels awful, you are sweaty, hot, uncomfortable and all around miserable when it is too humid in your home. Humidity can also contribute to bad allergies and health.
How can you tell If you Have Excessive Humidity In Your Home?
There are a couple of telltale signs like clammy skin, foggy windows, and a heavy wet warm atmosphere. But you can also smell mildew or musty odors when your home is too humid, which comes from moisture buildup. You can buy humidity monitors at a local hardware store or online to check moisture levels inside your home. According to ENERGY STAR®, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s voluntary program for energy efficiency, the ideal humidity level is between 30%-50%.
Here are some quick tips for improving the humidity levels inside your home:
Rethink Flooring
Carpets are known to retain moisture, as do rugs. It may be a good idea to remove the carpet in your home and replace it with tile, wood flooring, or something else.
Fix Any Leaking Pipes
Fix any leaks you have and wrap your exposed pipes in insulators – this will keep condensation from forming. Signs of leaks include stained drywall, wet spots, and irregular water bills.
Encapsulate Crawl space
Make sure any and all crawl spaces are insulated with a plastic vapor barrier.
Fix Basement Cracks
If you have a basement, be sure there are no cracks in the wall and if there are, repair them as soon as possible.
Take Cooler Showers
Take shorter and much cooler showers when it’s time to get clean. Also, ensure that exhaust fans are always on.
Use Your Air Conditioner
Make sure that your AC unit and climate control system is the appropriate size for your home. Keep humidity under control by getting your air conditioner tuned up, and frequently change the filter
Get a Dehumidifier
The best way to reduce indoor humidity is to get a dehumidifier.
Move Your House Plants
Plants are lively and beautiful, but they do release their fair share of moisture. If your home has a lot of indoor plants, this could be causing your humidity level to increase.
Dry Your Laundry Outside
If you have clothes that you don’t want to put in the dryer, avoid hanging them inside when wet. They will create more humidity in the laundry room. You should hang them outside on a drying rack or clothesline.
On top of affecting those within homes, humidity can have an effect on a number of structural components of the house as well. Just below the surface, the excess moisture from humidity can gradually rot at the wood within houses, causing the deterioration of both flooring and furniture alike. Humidity can damage drywall and exacerbate cracks, allowing for mold growth and drafts to enter your home and requiring you to make costly repairs over time. The benefit of diligently dehumidifying your home is that not only does it prevent damage, but it also helps to eliminate the growth of hazards that may be in hard-to-reach spots and go unnoticed.
Call BAM Basements and Masons of Des Moines for your basement dehumidifier needs. Installing a dehumidifier will allow you to control the humidity, fresh air ventilation, and air filtration in your home. It can also help protect your home from any damage from excess humidity. Dehumidifiers can also be an effective protection against airborne viruses. Balancing your home’s humidity reduces indoor allergens. In return you could benefit from greater overall health, less stress, better sleep, and a happier family.
We are the Premier waterproofing and Egress window company serving the Des Moines, Iowa area. If you’re located in Des Moines, Ankeny, Bondurant, Altoona, Pleasant hill, Ames, Adel, Waukee, Indianola, Grimes, Urbandale, Johnston, West Des Moines, Clive, or the surrounding areas, we’re the place to call.