When your home or the objects inside it are subjected to water, either through a leak from any part of the house or through an external disaster such as flooding, the first thing you should do is to take steps to arrest the water or moisture in order to prevent further water damage. Inside the house, this is usually done by reducing the humidity level in the room. The higher the humidity, the more likely organisms such as mold and bacteria are likely to grow.



Even in the absence of disasters, excessive moisture can affect your home. Too much humidity can result in the growth of molds, affect the quality of indoor air, and cause allergic symptoms in your family members. It can also cause damage to your possessions.

There are three things that mold needs in order to grow: moisture, nutrients, and warm temperature. Mold experts say that the best way to arrest mold growth is through humidity control, which means controlling the moisture level in your home. In order to be able to do this, we have to understand how moisture enters our homes, and how we can control it.

How moisture enters homes

Moisture can come in as vapor through the air, or as a liquid, through any opening in the house - doors, windows, or cracks. Vapor is colorless so therefore you cannot see it or touch it until it turns to liquid.

Moisture can also be produced inside the house. When we breathe, we produce about 3 pints each day. Moisture is created whenever someone cooks, showers, washes the dishes, or does the laundry. Leaks in washing machine hoses, water heaters, and shower tile grout can also produce moisture.

How moisture is measured

Humidity increases when the amount of water vapor in the air increases, or when the air temperature drops. This means that the warmer the air is, the higher the humidity level. The colder the air is, the lower the humidity level.

Ideally, the humidity level inside a home should be from 30% to 50% to avoid water damage.

How to control humidity level

Unless the humidity level inside your home is effectively managed, water vapor may seep into your furnishings and cause water damage. You must find and eliminate the sources of the moisture, and dry up whatever has been wet.

Regularly check your washing machine hose, water heater, refrigerator, and the grout in your bathroom shower. If there is leaking in any of these, have them fixed by a plumber to avoid water damage.

Make sure your windows and doors fit properly in their frames. Do not forget to check the air conditioner frames too. You can easily notice if there is a leak on your door or window through water stains. If not detected and repaired immediately, leaks from these sources will cause water damage - the wood will rot. Change any caulking or weather-stripping that may be broken or missing.

Inspect your air conditioner to make sure that the filter is not clogged. Evaporator cooling coils should not be iced over, and water should not flow back into the room from the air conditioner condenser.

How to remove moisture buildup

After fixing any leaks, you will need to dry your house out. You can do this by heating the room, then cooling it. Turn on the heat to a high temperature setting, about 80F, to draw the moisture out from your furnishings.

Then turn on the air conditioner to introduce cool air. Use a low setting, about 65F, for about two or three hours before resetting the air conditioner to normal.

Repeat the heating then cooling process until you are sure that the moisture level is significantly reduced.

Proper maintenance and preventive care is necessary in order to avoid water damage. Floods are not the only cause of damage to houses and possessions; you may actually have water damage now if there are any leaks in your home. Save your home and save your health through proper humidity control measures.