Condensation is a very common issue for home and business owners. Today we tackle how to combat excessive moisture in your home, business, and rental complexes, based on questions we regularly get asked. By combating this excessive moisture, you will cut down on the possibility of mold growth. CCS Property Services are experts in the area of mold removal and remediation. If you can’t get rid of it on your own, call us.
Q. Recently I’ve seen excessive condensation on my windows. What can I do to reduce this condensation?
A. First, condensation occurs when humid air comes in contact with a cold surface turning that humid air into droplets of water. So the best way to stave off condensation is to reduce the moisture (humid air) in the air.
Q. How do I reduce moisture in the air?
A. There are many ways to help reduce moisture in the air. With that said, we have put together a list of ideas for different areas of your home or business. If you have tried these ideas and still are having moisture and mold issues, it’s time to call in the professionals.
Crawl Space
Proper Ventilation is crucial in reducing excessive moisture in crawl spaces.
A vapor barrier should have been installed between the crawl space, basement exterior walls and the ground when the home or business was built. If you have a crawl space with open earth, a vapor barrier cover should be added to cover the earth. Running a dehumidifier helps pull out extra moisture that is not needed in your basement or crawl space. Thus drying the air and reducing the moisture.
Windows
Many times our windows will have condensation as we go through temperature changes. If you have single-pane windows, installing storm panels can help reduce how cold the windows become. Low E and high-performance windows and patio doors are wonderful options if you can afford to replace your single-pane windows.
Kitchen
Cooking creates moist air. When our homes are completely closed up and the temperatures are dipping outside that moisture creates condensation on our windows. Your best bet to fight this is to use an exhaust fan or ventilating fan in your kitchen. Your best defense is to run these fans more often and for longer periods of time when cooking to help extract that moist air from your living area.
Bathroom
Bathrooms and kitchens are the areas where we tend to see the most moisture and condensation due to running water and cooking. Use bath fans for 20 minutes after showering or bathing. These fans help extract that moist air and allow it to escape the bathroom. If possible, even cracking a window when showering or bathing allows the moist air to escape. It’s also good to start using a bathroom cleaner that is designed for removing mold. This type of product will also help keep mold from forming in the future. You can find these products regularly at a home goods store. In our area, Home Depot and Menards have these products available to purchase.
Bedroom
It’s a good idea to keep bedroom doors open to allow air movement throughout the room during the day. If a room is closed, no airflow is allowed to help the moisture escape. Opening blinds in the morning also allows air to dry windows.
Reducing the humidity of your inside air is the best way to combat condensation and combat mold growth from said condensation. Below are some additional tips for your entire home or business.
Attics
Attics possess a common issue of excessive moisture due to lack of air circulation. We see many homes with attic mold due to this excessive moisture.
Homes and businesses are designed to allow the air to come in through their soffit panels, then flow through the attic and out an attic vent. If there is any blockage to this system attic mold will grow. There are a number of areas where the blockage could be happening. Improperly installed soffit, insulation blocking the airflow, or blockage or absence of roof vents can all cause improper airflow leading to attic mold and moisture.
Additional Tips to Combat Excessive Moisture in Your Home or Business
- Change your furnace filter at least once per month
- Allow airflow by opening doors to all rooms throughout your home or business
- Run ceiling fans
- Run furnace fan
The goal should be to eliminate any controllable sources of moisture in your home or business. The fastest route is to run the fan on your furnace. This keeps the air circulating and helps the moisture escape via the exhaust system for your home or business. If you still have questions about Mold, read our FAQ’s for additional information here Mold FAQ’s.
At CCS Property Services, we combat the mold and water damage that comes from excessive moisture in your home or business. By implementing the tips above, you can help prevent many of the mold situations that arise for home and business owners alike. If you’re struggling with mold or water damage issues, call us today for a FREE MOLD ASSESSMENT at 920.435.2288.