A humidity level can leave your home at risk of microbial growth and damaged belongings. As your indoor air quality worsens, you and your loved ones may also face issues with your respiratory health. Here are a few of the common dangers of living with a high humidity level in Lenoir City, TN:
Microbial Growth
Humidity refers to how much water vapor is in your breathing air. It’s recommended to keep your indoor humidity between 30% and 60%. When this level regularly exceeds 60%, microbes can begin to spread throughout your home.
Microbial growth can occur in dark and damp environments. You could find white, green or brown spots spreading across your basement or covering your bathroom tiles. As these growths take root, they can penetrate your drywall, wooden beams and more.
Additionally, inhaling these microbes may cause long-term health concerns, especially in children or those with pre-existing health conditions. An uncontrolled microbial growth infestation will steadily ruin your soft, porous belongings and leave your home unsafe.
Rotting Wooden Belongings
Excessive airborne moisture can slowly damage the wood supporting your property. You may first spot strange stains or growths along your wooden beams. This can eventually lead to internal decay that could compromise your home’s integrity.
Long-term moisture concerns can warp your floors. You could struggle with doors that refuse to close or couches and chairs that warp from the moisture. These humidity issues will only worsen with time and affect more of your valuable belongings.
Peeling or Damaged Paint
Unfortunately, moisture can accumulate on your home’s walls and windows. This is particularly common with poorly insulated exterior walls. For example, during the warm season, hot air will push against your cool walls, making them a prime area for condensation.
This excess moisture can cause your wallpaper to develop bubbles or come loose. Painted walls may begin to flake or struggle with unsightly stains. Rather than continuing to cover the damage, you should tackle your home’s pervasive humidity problem.
Increased Sweating
Your indoor humidity level will impact your family’s health and comfort. Hot and humid air tends to be more uncomfortable than hot and dry air. This is because the excess humidity impacts how you regulate your internal temperature.
In humid environments, your body uses up electrolytes by producing more sweat. Your breathing rate also increases due to the changes in how your heart circulates blood. Without enough fluids or electrolytes, your body will overheat, leaving you feeling sluggish and confused.
Worsened Respiratory Health
A higher humidity means more bacteria and viruses can thrive in your home. It’s important to note that humid air is heavier than dry air, which enables contaminants to stay airborne longer. You and your loved ones are more prone to inhaling the germs released when someone in the home sneezes or coughs.
Your family’s asthma and allergy symptoms will only worsen in an environment with high humidity. Floating microbes and dust mites irritate your lungs and nasal passages, causing coughing fits, shortened breaths and headaches. Without yearly HVAC maintenance, this extra debris could also take a toll on the health of your heating and cooling systems.
Excess Indoor Airborne Contaminants
Besides biological contaminants, high humidity can also increase airborne chemicals. Common home materials like carpet and wood passively release chemicals in a process called off-gassing. As these harmful substances react with water, their concentration in your home increases.
Encountering these chemicals can lead to unpleasant respiratory side effects and skin and eye irritation. Ventilation is key to minimizing chemical buildup and providing your home with fresh and clean air.
You can keep your humidity level within a safe range by investing in reputable indoor air quality solutions. Dehumidifiers are the most effective way to keep indoor humidity consistent all year. Call our professionals at Melton Heating and Air to ask about our comprehensive IAQ services offered in Lenoir City, TN.
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