Surplus moisture can damage your home in many different ways, wreaking havoc on the structural integrity of the house, the well-being of you and your family, and the health of your bank account.
In this article, we will explore the various ways in which excess humidity and moisture can damage your home, including structural damage, mold growth, and insects.
How Excess Moisture & High Humidity Levels Damage Your Home
Too much moisture not only compromises the aesthetic appeal of your home, but also causes health problems, attracts insects, and leaves you with thousands of dollars in structural damage.
The Destructive Impact of Mold Growth
One of the most concerning consequences of excess moisture inside your home is rapid mold growth.
Mold growth thrives in environments with high humidity, which often goes hand in hand with moisture. If left unchecked, mold grows in as little as 12-24 hours after water exposure.
Mold growth not only poses a risk to the structural integrity of your property but also presents health hazards, especially for individuals with respiratory issues.
Black mold, a variety of fungus that grows quickly in warm, moist areas, can cause a variety of issues like coughing, congestion, and general malaise even in people without mold allergies.
Mold can release airborne spores that can spread throughout your home, further exacerbating the problem, leaving unsightly stains and unpleasant odors in addition to health problems.
Wood Warping and Degradation
Over time, prolonged exposure to humidity causes wood to absorb moisture, leading to permanent damage.
Wooden floors may start to buckle and chip, while wooden furniture and fixtures can show signs of swelling and distortion. As the moisture content of wood increases, the wood fibers separate, resulting in unsightly gaps in walls and floors.
It is crucial to address excess moisture promptly to prevent further damage to the wood and ensure the long-term stability of your home.
The Toll on Your Electronics
Dampness and high humidity not only impact the structure of your home but also take a toll on your belongings. Electronics, often on the front lines of the battle against moisture, are susceptible to damage.
Fluctuations in temperature and increased moisture levels in dry air can lead to short circuits and render your electronics unusable.
Moisture Damage to Your Books
Books, too, suffer from excessive moisture. Fragile pages can absorb moisture, exacerbating existing damage and rendering them practically useless.
It is disheartening to come across bookshelves covered in mold because of the excess humidity within the home. Books provide nourishment for mold, making them particularly susceptible to colonization.
Insect Infestations
Insects, too, are drawn to the humid environment. Dust mites, for example, flourish in humidity, leading to potential infestations. However, you can combat these invaders by introducing dry air into your home.
Appliances such as air conditioners and dehumidifiers help to extract dampness from the air, making your home an inhospitable place for these pests.
Benefits of Hiring a Water Damage Restoration Company
Whether it’s caused by a burst pipe, a leaky roof, or flooding from heavy rains, moisture can seep into every nook and cranny, silently causing structural damage, promoting mold growth, and compromising the integrity of your property.
Ignoring these issues can be costly, and potentially hazardous to your health.
That’s why it’s crucial to take immediate action and seek the expertise of a professional water damage restoration company. These specialists possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and advanced equipment to identify the extent of the damage and efficiently restore your home to its pre-damaged condition, ensuring your safety and peace of mind.
Don’t wait until it’s too late – take control of the situation and safeguard your home by calling a water damage restoration company today.
How To Tell There Is Too Much Moisture In Your House?
Some ways you can identify a moisture problem in your house include:
- Peeling or cracking wall paint
- Condensation on your windows
- A musty odor
- Visible mold
- The presence of insects indoors
How To Prevent & Fix Humidity And Moisture Issues In Your Home
A few simple ways to control the amount of moisture in your home:
- Improve Ventilation: Ensure proper ventilation in high-humidity areas like bathrooms and kitchens by using exhaust fans. Proper airflow helps reduce moisture to normal levels and prevents condensation inside your home.
- Install Humidity Monitors: Using humidity monitors, especially in the warmer months, can help you effectively use dehumidifiers and fans to control the moisture in your house.
- Use Dehumidifiers: Employ dehumidifiers in damp spaces to regulate indoor humidity levels. These devices remove excess moisture from the air, curbing the growth of mold and mildew.
- Address Leaks Promptly: Regularly inspect and repair any leaks in pipes, roofing, or plumbing fixtures to prevent a water leak and moisture seepage into the structure of your home.
- Install Roof Gutters: Gutters guide precipitation away from your property, preventing standing water from pooling near your home and leaking inside.
- Inspect Your Stucco: Poorly-assembled exterior stucco leads to water intrusion behind the stucco, creating moisture problems that are hard to find and expensive to repair.
For Ultimate Peace Of Mind, Trust Water & Mold Restoration Professionals
Excess moisture and humidity in your home pose a significant threat, leading to mold growth, unfixable damage, and insect infestations that can impact not only the structural integrity of your property but also the health and financial well-being of your family.
Using specialized equipment like moisture meters, thermal cameras, and industrial-grade dehumidifiers, professional water, and mold restoration companies can fix, restore, and protect your home from excess humidity, taking one more thing off your plate.
Contact Flood Kings in Nashville, TN, for an immediate response, thorough assessment, insurance claim assistance, and expert removal.
