Air humidity is very important to human health, so how to simply identify humidity? Today, I will teach you a few simple and easy to distinguish.
1.Surface Condensation
Condensation on the interior glass, water beading on a window, or the presence of what looks like a fog or vapor on the glass are typical signs that there is too much moisture in the room.
Condensation often happens when a humidifier is too large for the room and puts out too much humidity. A build-up of moisture on a window sill can eventually rot wooden casings, and that wetness will allow mold to grow. Mold will look like a black or dark grunge on the bottom window trim or in the track of a patio door.
Immediately turn off any humidifier that is operating, and in the future, downgrade the unit to reduce the amount of moisture output. When too much humidifier output is the cause, the moisture level may correct itself simply by stopping humidifier use and opening a window to add air circulation to the room.
Another thing that can cause moisture buildup on windows is humidity present in the home’s construction materials, such as improper sealing of sheetrock walls or moisture present in cement.
The outdoor climate can also cause indoor moisture problems, such as when it rains for several days or the area where you live has a high humidity factor. A dehumidifier will effectively remove the moisture from the home and restore proper indoor levels. Remember to rotate the dehumidifier through all the areas affected by excess humidity.
2.Mold Spots
Since steam rises, bathroom moisture problems are often found on ceilings or up in the corners of the walls. Bathrooms that do not have efficient fans to divert steam and humidity to the outdoors usually have some mold problems.
Mold can grow on the wall, ceiling, under or around the toilet, or behind the bath or shower surround. A leaky toilet or plumbing can also cause moisture problems.
Running a dehumidifier in these areas can help, but remember that while this is necessary, you have to get at the root of the problem to find a long-term solution. A dehumidifier will lessen the amount of moisture damage but do not ignore the cause.
For those finding a repair solution for excess moisture, such as removing mold and repairing walls, you must use a specially formulated paint to resist mildew and seal those areas that have been repaired. Otherwise, mold will find its way back through layers of regular paint and be noticeable once again.
Other areas of the home often affected by trapped moisture are closets, garages or basement rooms, and storage areas. You might also see dripping or mold spots below the windows. Faulty window seals or rotting casings can cause damp spots. In this case, you should replace windows with frames, sheetrock, and insulation to remove all wet areas.
3.Musty Smell or Odor
The presence of a musty odor in basements, crawl spaces, entrances, and garages may signal the presence of mold and mildew. The cause may have been a one-time event or a recurring problem.
Possible causes range from improper window or door seals to wet basement areas from high groundwater seepage.
Anytime there is a musty smell, it may suggest mold and is worth investigating. A dehumidifier can help with immediate moisture removal, but you will have to investigate and remedy the situation to avoid recurring problems. In all likelihood, those areas will also require heat to help dry the affected space.
In the laundry room , a musty odor in the air, or musty-smelling towels or bedding could signal a high-efficiency (HE) or front-load washer problems. Though more efficient in many ways than a traditional top-load washer, front-loading washers are more likely to have mold issues.
Manufacturers have made many advances to reduce mold risk in front load washers, but it can still happen. Mold issues are not specific to a particular brand, though some washers have been redesigned and are better than others. (Learn the differences between a top-load washer and a high-efficiency front-load washing machine .)
A musty odor in the laundry room can also be caused by a plugged exterior vent or an interior dryer lint filter that has been neglected and impacted by lint. When drying clothes, a clogged filter can cause moist air inside the dryer to become trapped since there is no clear, unobstructed airflow, resulting in a musty smell. Plugged lint filters, in or outdoors, can also become a fire hazard .You should clear them of lint—you should empty the interior dryer lint filter after each dryer load; the exterior lint filter should be cleared as required.
4.Recurring Dampness
If spring groundwater dampness has become a recurring problem or you have purchased a home that has white or grayish water level marks in the basement, a dehumidifier can help to remove the extra moisture should these events occur.
It would also be a good idea to investigate why your basement is prone to water, which may be from inadequate weeping tiles around the home, concrete that may need to be re-parsed and sealed, or it may simply be because the house was built on a historical river bed or low plain.
5.Water Stain Marks
If you are buying a home or RV, you should always look for signs of excess moisture problems. Tell-tale signs that a home has had water problems are mold or mildew in corners of walls or ceilings in any rooms, including the bathroom, and water level marks in the basement.
An overly fragranced home often may have something to hide regarding odors or mold. Look inside closets at the walls, behind furniture at baseboards, around and below windows for evidence of mold or water stain marks, and be on the lookout for musty smells. It is not uncommon for some people to give their home a fresh coat of paint to mask potential problems when it goes up for sale. A fresh coat of paint can make it harder to detect water problems but look inside closets and inspect the foundation and basement.
If you encounter noticeable water problems, ask why and if the homeowners remediated the issue. You may want to bring in an expert to confirm or allay your fears and give you an estimate of possible costs to remedy the situation.
