Use A Dehumidifier (Or A DIY Version) If the humidity hits without forewarning and you find yourself without an actual dehumidifier machine, you can also go a chemical route. Several substances like charcoal, rock salt, cat litter, and baking soda can help to draw moisture out of the air.
Increase air circulation by using fans and by moving furniture from wall corners to promote air and heat circulation. Be sure that your house has a source of fresh air and can expel excessive moisture from the home.
High humidity can cause problems in your home if relative humidity regularly exceeds 60%.
Easy ways to ventilate and reduce damp
Open doors and windows for 10-15 minutes each morning, or use a ventilation system. Airing out a room when you turn off the heater also helps to avoid condensation. Use energy efficient, low emissions heaters. Heat every room being used by someone to at least 18°C.
To remove the standing water from your home, you need a device that will soak up the water and put it elsewhere. This is what a sump pump does. There are two types: pedestal sump pumps and submersible sump pumps.
Turn On The Fans
These fans can often be found in places where air movement is especially important for dehumidifying because of heat- and moisture-producing activities like cooking and showering. Turn on your oven and bathroom fans to promote air circulation and reduce humidity.
Baking Soda: Baking soda is cheap and easy to find. It's great for small areas and helps neutralize odors while absorbing moisture. Use it in closets or cabinets.
Ceiling fans can be extremely beneficial in reducing humidity in a home because they are able to keep air circulating across an entire room and from the top down. Even a fan spinning at a low speed can help drastically with air circulation and lowering humidity.
As long as the dehumidifier you choose is large enough for the area it is working in, and there are no specific damp problems, then a dehumidifier will normally reduce the humidity to the chosen level within a few days to a week.
Mold needs 55% or higher humidity in order to grow. Also, remember that reducing humidity below 30% isn't a good idea, either. This can cause health problems, making your eyes nose and skin dry, and exasperate lung and skin conditions.
It's best to place it somewhere central in the house, being sure to think about where your sources of moisture are. Moisture problems like damp and mould are typically likely to arise in the bathroom, where showers and baths create lots of steam. And so, it is best to position your dehumidifier on the landing.
Baking soda as a moisture absorber
Remove dampness by filling a small bowl with baking soda and placing it in the room you'd like to dehumidify. Although it's not as effective as rock salt in combating humidity, it's good for enclosed spaces where moisture is an issue.
Dirty filters, clogged drains, and other issues can prevent the system from removing humidity effectively. Thermostat issues: If your thermostat is improperly set or malfunctioning, your AC system may not be removing humidity as well as it could.
The cost to have a whole-house dehumidifier installed typically ranges from $1,000 to $2,800 or more, including both the unit and professional installation. Prices vary based on the system's capacity, brand, and complexity of installation.
Plants are natural dehumidifiers because they absorb water from their surroundings through their leaves and release moisture back out through transpiration. This process helps regulate humidity levels and create fresh air in any space! And some plants are better than others.
"While DampRid is nowhere near as rapid or effective as a good dehumidifier, it almost works the same as a poor-performing dehumidifier," says Chris. We know you want the dry details, so you can read how DampRid fared in a mild 65% humidity test against all the currently available dehumidifiers in our review.
Create cross ventilation by opening windows on opposite sides of the house to promote air circulation. Close curtains, blinds, or shades during the hottest parts of the day to block out direct sunlight and heat. Utilize exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to remove hot air and humidity from these spaces.
A dehumidifier is designed to remove moisture from the air and is essential for any homeowner dealing with recurring high humidity problems. You can purchase portable dehumidifiers for isolated issues or have a whole-home dehumidifier installed to handle high humidity throughout the entire house.
Install a drainage system with a sump pump to effectively remove moisture from the soil surrounding your home. This system collects and removes water, keeping the crawl space dry even during heavy rains. One of the most effective drainage systems is a drain tile system.
Open windows and doors to help speed up the drying process. Use fans to move air around the damp walls. Also use dehumidifiers, which can help remove moisture from the air and walls. Professionals use tools like moisture meters, infrared imaging devices, dehumidifiers and heavy-duty fans.
Reduce sources of water evaporation (bathing, cooking, humidifiers, etc.). Install or inspect and repair exhaust fans in your bathrooms. Install an exhaust fan in the kitchen to remove moisture caused by cooking. Bring dry outdoor air into the home to replace stale, moist air that is being exhausted.