When most people think about water damage, they tend to focus on things like leaky pipes, overflowing sinks, and broken appliances. However, there is another threat, always present, but impossible to see. That threat is indoor humidity. High indoor humidity levels can cause significant water damage over time that presents itself in many different ways.
Here are four different ways that indoor humidity can cause water damage in your home according to our water damage restoration professionals at Flood Pro.
The main thing you need to worry about when it comes to indoor humidity is mold growth. Mold is present in all our homes and the air we breathe each day. However, high indoor humidity levels can make mold grow out of control and become hazardous. This most commonly happens in areas of your home like the bathroom or basement where moisture is more common, to begin with. If moisture levels remain too high in these areas without you regularly cleaning them and wiping down surfaces, it won’t take long before mold begins growing and spreading. Use the fan in your bathroom and consider investing in a dehumidifier for your basement. These will help keep moisture at a minimum and keep these areas of your home safe from mold and water damage.
Surprisingly, the issue isn’t always a concern with high indoor humidity levels. Low indoor humidity can cause issues as well — specifically with regard to the structure of your home. Low indoor humidity is known to damage wood and other building materials and furniture. It can also cause cracks to develop in your floor, trim, and framing.
High indoor humidity can also take a toll on your wallet. For one, you may need a dehumidifier to keep the moisture at a minimum. While this can be a relatively large one-time cost, it is well worth the money. Additionally, high humidity levels will lead to your home feeling hot and muggy. In turn, you will want to turn up the air conditioner which will increase your electric bill each month. In fact, over the course of a year or multiple years, a dehumidifier more than pays for itself if it means you don’t need to pay the extra electricity costs for keeping up with the high humidity levels.
Finally, both high and low indoor humidity can have negative consequences for your health. High humidity levels can lead to health problems by allowing mold growth to occur. Low humidity levels, however, can worsen symptoms for those with asthma or allergies, cause viruses to spread more rapidly, lead to sinus infections, and cause dry skin and cracked lips.
Don’t let something as simple as indoor humidity lead to water damage in your home! As you follow the advice above, you will be able to keep this from happening. Nonetheless, if your home does suffer from water damage for any reason, give us a call at Flood Pro for help without delay.
