Water is the elixir of life, but a high level of moisture in the air is not healthy. Not only will it feel like you’re living in a rain forest, it’s also extremely dangerous to the structural integrity of the house and your overall health.
How does moisture get into the house?
There are many ways moisture can enter your home. Outside air entering your home will bring more moisture in your home. If you have cracks, allowing air leaks, this can cause the air inside your house to have more moisture than it should. Activities such as bathing, cooking, drying clothes and washing dished can add to the water level in the air. Uninsulated cold pipes and damaged water pipes can increase moisture in the surrounding area as water will leak into the structure of the building.
What is moisture control and why is it important?
Moisture control is the process of keeping the level of moisture in your house below 60% and between 19-20% in your crawl space. It’s important to keep the levels regulated since it can impact the living conditions of your home and can affect the structural strength of your home.
What will happen is there is no moisture control?
If there is no moisture control, your house will become the ideal breeding ground for microorganisms such as mold and mildew. They are highly toxic and can cause respiratory problems as they release spores into the air. Wood-destroying fungus also thrives in humidity and can destroy wooden parts of your home.
Bugs and insects are drawn to humidity so you run a higher risk of them infesting your home and causing large-scale damage. Dust mites are also attracted to a humid environment and can trigger allergy and asthma attacks. Your overall health can become worse and you will be prone to increased allergy/asthma attacks.
How do I prevent mold/mildew in my house/crawl space?
To prevent mold/mildew in your home and crawl space, investing in a dehumidifier is your best option. These dehumidifiers are not the same kind sold at local hardware stores – these are designed specifically for crawl spaces. By eliminating the excess moisture in your crawl-space, you can increase the air quality in your home by 20%. The best way to properly regulate the moisture levels in your crawl space, is to call May Exterminating and have one of our technicians inspect and direct you on what your possible options are. If we install a dehumidifier in your crawl space, we will come back for a follow-up inspection to ensure everything is working properly.
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