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Avoid Washington, DC Home Mold Growth by Maintaining a Healthy Humidity Level

Washington, DC Humidity Level & Mold Growth

Think high-humidity summers in Washington, DC only affect you when you're outside? Think again. High indoor humidity levels - which can occur during all seasons of the year - can wreak havoc on your home, leading to mold growth, allergy problems, and even structural damage. Controlling your indoor environment, specifically your home humidity, is an essential component to keeping your home - and its occupants - healthy.

Humidity is defined as vaporized water in the air. You can see these water vapor droplets when you watch sweat form on the outside of a drinking glass or look at your mirror after taking a hot shower. Humidity levels are determined by the percentage of water vapor in the air at a specific temperature compared to the amount of water vapor the air is capable of holding at that temperature. When air at a certain temperature contains all the water vapor it can hold, humidity levels reach 100 percent. Warm air holds more water vapor than cold air holds. Keep in mind that humidity levels should not be at zero percent to be considered ideal and healthy, as low humidity causes static electricity and evaporates body moisture to the point where skin and hair can dry out. In fact, the human body is most comfortable within humidity levels of 20 to 60 percent. In that same vein, home humidity levels should be between 35 to 40 percent.

When air is oversaturated with water vapor, that vapor condenses and produces visible condensation. Such high humidity levels in your home lead to constantly fogged windows, a musty, clammy feel, and ultimately, mold growth. During the summer when outdoor humidity is high, your house naturally absorbs some water vapor, but during the winter months when the air is drier, water vapor can be released and lead to window condensation. During cold weather, condensation on inside windows is common, but prolonged and excessive window condensation can contribute to home structural damage.

Washington, DC High Humidity Causes

What causes high humidity levels in your home? Such simple acts as breathing, cooking, and showering puts water vapor into the air. No, you don't have to stop showering to lower your home's humidity - but it might be a good idea to take shorter showers with cooler water. Reducing sources of moisture in your home can lead to lower humidity levels. Try these easy steps to lower your home's humidity level:

• Use vent fans in bathrooms and kitchens.
• Repair leaking outdoor faucets.
• Make sure that clothes dryers are properly vented to the outdoors and not blowing warm air to your home's interior.
• Extend downspouts and gutters away from your home's foundation, and keep those downspouts and gutters clean.
• Cook with covered pans.
• Use a dehumidifier, preferably one with a built-in hygrometer, or humidity gauges, that shut off the unit when an optimal humidity level is reached.
• Reduce the number of plants in your home or water them less, as they release water vapor into the indoor environment.

Finally, contact RTS Environmental to perform a comprehensive mold inspection of your home to identify possible sources and employ any necessary mold prevention techniques. RTS Environmental Services is made up of experienced, trained, and licensed professionals who have provided thousands of thorough, honest, and practical mold and asbestos inspections and solutions throughout the greater Washington, DC metropolitan area.

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