Homeowning in humid climates
Forever Home Inspection serves both Oklahoma and Iowa, two states that can both get pretty humid. The wind brings humidity up from the Gulf Coast into Oklahoma, and Iowa was ranked the #6 state with the highest humidity in 2018 (Forbes). While you’ll feel it more in the summer, humidity also occurs in the winter, and any kind of humidity can cause problems for homeowners, besides just plain discomfort. Since humidity is moisture, humidity can lead to water damage in the home. Wood absorbs water, meaning wet wood will warp. Moisture on wood also breeds mildew, which in turn can grow mold. Mold weakens the wood until it collapses, which leads to serious structural damage to your home. This is more likely to happen in areas like crawlspaces, attics, and basements. Mold also is a health risk for immunocompromised people or people with allergies, often irritating the throat and eyes. Moisture from humidity that rests on metal appliances can create rust and make them faulty, including important home equipment like pipes and HVAC systems. Humidity and dampness also create musty smells in clothes and in cabinets and pantries. Clearly, humidity is no joke, so how can homeowners in humid climates be proactive?
How homeowners can protect their house from humidity
In most modern bathrooms, there is an exhaust fan that you can turn on when you take a shower that clears out the humidity and dampness caused by the stream of the hot water. If you don’t use this fan, the water accumulated in the bathroom can create mildew. It can also allow odors to linger, and the moisture can damages fixtures. The same principle applies to the rest of your house when it is humid: use a fan! Open windows to create airflow (however, keep in mind that opening windows while using the AC will also make the AC less effective and efficient). Turn on your kitchen range hood when cooking. Open doors inside the house to keep air flowing throughout. Increasing airflow keeps any single space from becoming stagnant and wet. You can even invest in a dehumidifier and humidity tracker.
The major key is simply vigilance. Keep an eye out for places where pools of water and heavy condensation have already accumulated, such as puddles in the basement, dampness in the walls around hot water tanks or refrigerators, or dampness in crawl spaces. Groundwater that seeps into crawl spaces creates moisture that adds to a humidity problem (Coastal Living). Putting a plastic cover over the crawlspace floor can reduce this moisture. Wash towels and bathmats regularly to keep mildew from building up. Wipe down condensation around windows. In other words, dry up any moisture you see once you notice it. Don’t let it stick around! Keeping your house dry and clean will do wonders for its comfort and your health.
Checking for moisture in a home inspection
Our Forever Home Inspectors use a moisture meter during home inspections. What are moisture meters? Here’s how we explain it in our inspection reports:
“A moisture meter is a device designed to measure the moisture content of various building materials, such as roofing, siding, insulation, drywall, plaster, wood, tile and fiberglass. Structural and safety hazards, such as mold, rot and decay are all potential consequences of elevated moisture levels in these materials. An inspector can use a moisture meter to locate moisture that would not otherwise be apparent."
Moisture meters are used to determine:
if a house has leaks.
whether a material is moist enough to allow mold to grow.
if the home is suitable for occupancy after being vacated due to flooding.
if wood is dry enough to be installed.
if a surface is dry enough to be painted or stained.”
You can find examples of our sample inspection reports here, and this information above and more can be found in the specific reports. Our inspectors can help you determine if a home has moisture damage from humidity and what steps to take.
