Posts Tagged ‘damp’

It can be a tricky balancing act to keep the moisture level of a home clear of excess water vapour in the air. Some particular parts of a house like the basement are more prone than others to clinging on to excess water in the air. Excess moisture in the air can give rise to a general damp feel in the house and in extreme situations it can harm the structural integrity of the building. Air dehumidifiers can help with this.

making use of a dehumidifier will help the extraction of surplus moisture from the air by drawing warm air through two coils in the same manner as an air conditioner and then removing surplus moisture. A drainage system that is fitted to the back of the dehumidifier collects the moisture and can be changed at any time. By removing excess moisture the growth of mildew and mold is prevented.

If you are not sure whether or not a dehumidifier is required then look out for the following signs: water condensation on the inside of windows, wet spots on the ceilings or walls, a nasty musty odor or an increase in allergic reactions within the residents of the property.

If you are considering purchasing a dehumidifier then it is important to get one that is large enough to do the job properly. Basement areas that are usually larger will of course require a larger home dehumidifier. Check the holding capacity of the dehumidifier to see just how much volume of water it can take. A larger capacity clearly means you will spend less time dealing with emptying it.Of course make sure that any pipes coming from the dehumidifier are not left anywhere near electrical wires just in case it lets water seep out.

Placement of the dehumidifier is yet another further factor to take into account. Are should be taken not to place a machine running against a wall if it will block the air vent, this will prevent healthy circualtion of the air. Firmly shut all doors and windows when you start running your dehumidifier in order to maximise efficiency.

Ensure that you search around a bit to get the best possible price. There are more and more dehumidifiers coming out each day so take your time and shop around for some great deals. Home dehumidifiers particularly ebac dehumidifiers are certainly a worthy investment.

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I read some scary statistics the other day – over 1 in 3 people in North America and Europe live in houses with damp and mold problems.  Anyone who’s moved house recently will probably have come across many properties with damp, stained walls and even growth of mold spores.But there’s a real lack of awareness about the problem.  Damp and mould problems are often in hidden corners of your home and many times it resides inside walls where you can’t see it. 

Damp causes sickness
Damp has been linked with an alarming range of illnesses.  Most common are allergic reactions and flu-like symptoms like sneezing, sore eyes, coughing and wheezing.It can be a nightmare for asthma sufferers, and there’s even been a study connecting it with causing asthma during childhood.  Damp can also cause serious respiratory problems in the long run.  Another recent study even revealed a connection between mold and depression! 

Causes
You may be wondering, how this stuff manages to infect your home?To start with, it’s important to state that mould occurs naturally in small amounts and can be sorted out quite simply.However the major problems start when it’s left untreated and allowed to spread.  Mould builds up as a result of too much humidity in the air combined with a lack of proper ventilation for the moisture to escape.Water collects in the atmosphere from places like the bathroom, as well as condensation on windows.But it needs to go somewhere!  Lack of ventilation can be down to poor workmanship and failure to ensure proper damp proofing when the home was built.  It also down to lack of proper ventilation.  This is becoming more and more common these days as we seal up our homes to keep the heat in and reduce energy costs.

Dealing with damp
We should all concern ourselves with preventing mould developing in our homes. It’s not just for people who already have damp problems.Left unchecked it becomes a lot harder – and costlier – to deal with.  Here are some top tips on how to avoid damp buildup in your home or workplace:

1. Dry up any build up of condensation you notice around the house within 24-48 hours.  Remember, mould can’t grow without moisture.
2. Ensure that you get proper ventilation in the building to give moisture an escape route.  Consider installing air vents or opening a window after showers.
3. Think about cold surfaces around the house where condensation may occur, like pipes, roofs, outside walls and windows – and get them insulated.
4. It’s well worth considering investing in one of the many dehumidifiers out there to remove moisture from the atmosphere.  Certain portable air conditioners also do the job, with the added bonus of keeping you cool in the summer.
5. Get wise on your legal position.  If a damp problem really takes hold it can ruin your life and bank balance. Find out from your home insurance to see if your policy covers mold damage. Those living in rented accomodation should ask their landlord to have damp and mold professionally looked at.