Managing indoor humidity is essential for creating a healthy and comfortable living environment. High humidity inside your property can lead to a range of issues, such as increased condensation on windows, patches of damp and even mould growth. High humidity can also impact your health, aggravating allergies and respiratory problems.
Fortunately though, there are some simple solutions to keep humidity under control. In this article, we’ll explore what high humidity is, the optimal humidity level for your property, causes of high humidity and run through some practical solutions to help reduce it!
What is high humidity?
Humidity is the measurement of how much water vapour is present in the air. There are two different types of humidity measurement:
- Absolute humidity: The measurement of water vapour within a given volume of air, calculated by dividing the mass of water vapour by the mass of dry air within a specific volume at a given temperature. Expressed in g/m3.
- Relative humidity: The amount of water vapour in the air, relative to the maximum amount of water vapour that could be present in the air at a given temperature. Expressed as a percentage.
For ease, we will be referring to relative humidity. High humidity is when the amount of water vapour exceeds a certain level. In the UK, the ideal relative humidity level for inside a home is between 30 and 60%, so anything outside of this is considered abnormal.
High humidity – anything over 50% in the winter and 60% in the summer – can cause a number of negative effects in the home environment, from causing unsightly condensation, to promoting mould growth and even reducing air quality!
Understanding ideal humidity levels and how to maintain them is essential for a comfortable and healthy home environment.
Common causes of high humidity
Excess indoor moisture is often caused by poor ventilation, which traps humidity generated by everyday activities such as cooking, showering, and drying clothes. Insufficient insulation can also contribute to high humidity levels indoors by allowing outdoor moisture to get in.
Water leaks, particularly hidden ones, are a significant and often overlooked source of high humidity. Even small leaks can introduce a constant supply of moisture into the air, making it harder to maintain optimal humidity levels.
On top of this, external weather conditions can cause high humidity indoors. Prolonged rain or high outdoor humidity can increase internal humidity levels, especially in homes that are poorly sealed or not very well ventilated.
The impact of high humidity
High humidity isn’t just responsible for unaesthetic condensation on windows and damp patches on walls, it can cause an uncomfortable living environment, huge damage to the whole property and worsen health conditions for the property’s inhabitants!
Prolonged exposure to high humidity can trigger a range of respiratory problems such as asthma, allergies, and sinus infections. Mould and mildew thrive in humid environments, worsening these conditions and posing a threat to indoor air quality.
On top of this, the excess moisture in the air can also cause structural damage over time. Furniture, wooden flooring, and walls can warp, crack or peel as they absorb moisture. High humidity can even compromise the integrity of your home’s foundations, leading to expensive and invasive repairs.
How to reduce humidity in your property
Luckily, there are some simple steps that you can take to reduce the humidity in your property. Let’s run through some actionable tips for managing excess moisture:
- Use dehumidifiers: Dehumidifiers are designed to extract moisture from the air, helping to maintain optimal humidity levels in your home. They’re especially effective in rooms that tend to get damp, such as bathrooms. You can get a few different types of dehumidifiers, depending on your budget, ranging from manual dehumidifiers that contain hydrophilic crystals to retain moisture, to electric dehumidifiers that track the moisture levels in the room and reduce the humidity automatically.
- Improve ventilation: If you don’t want to spend money on a dehumidifier, another key way of controlling humidity is through improving the airflow. Regularly opening windows will let fresh air in, and installing extractor fans in high-moisture areas like the kitchen and bathroom can draw out additional moisture and expel it from the property.
- Avoid drying clothes indoors: Drying clothes inside increases moisture in the air. Where possible, use a tumble dryer or (if it’s not raining) dry your clothes outside. If you have to dry your clothes inside, make sure to ventilate the room well and use a dehumidifier to manage moisture levels.
- Regulate indoor temperature: Keeping your home at a constant steady temperature can also help to prevent moisture from building up inside. Ensure your heating system is balanced, avoiding extremes of hot and cold that could lead to condensation.
By implementing these steps, you can significantly reduce humidity in your property and protect your home from the negative effects of excess moisture.
The role of leak detection in reducing humidity
As we’ve already mentioned, water leaks are a common contributor to high humidity in your home. Leaks can often go undetected, but they can still introduce moisture into walls, floors, and ceilings. This hidden moisture can fuel mould growth, worsen existing humidity issues and even weaken structural components.
Finding and fixing these leaks is essential for controlling the humidity in your home. Even small leaks, when left unaddressed, can lead to moisture problems. By quickly locating and repairing leaks, you not only prevent further humidity buildup, but also protect your home from the potential damage and health risks associated with mould and mildew.
If you suspect a leak in your system but your plumber is unable to locate it, a professional leak detection company (like us here at Harmuns) will be equipped with the necessary equipment and technology to pinpoint the source of the leak and resolve it effectively.
How Harmuns can help
If you’re using dehumidifiers, opening your windows and drying your clothes outside and you’re still suffering from high humidity, it’s likely you have a leak! Harmuns specialise in finding hidden water leaks that your plumber might be unable to find. Just give us a call!
Our engineers have years of experience and advanced detection equipment that allows us to detect leaks as efficiently as possible.You may not need our services right now, but you could in the future. Save our number now to prevent future panic: 01753 378569.