Prevent Humidity Damage in Your Overland Park Home with a Dehumidifier

Prevent Humidity Damage in Your Overland Park Home with a DehumidifierTo promote healthy indoor air quality, it’s vital that you take the necessary steps to keep humidity levels balanced in your home at all times. Excess humidity can make it feel like you’re living in a swamp, while simultaneously causing damage to your home and health.

Luckily, a pro can help you achieve the right amount of moisture in your living space. It’s important to be aware of the kind of damage that can be caused by high humidity levels in your Overland Park home, and how using a dehumidifier can help keep humidity in check.

Five Areas Where High Humidity Wreaks Havoc

Your contractor will likely install a dehumidifier on top of completing the following tasks in various areas of your home:

  • Basement, crawlspaces and floors: Mold and rot can easily develop in these areas and spread to other parts of your home when left unchecked. A polyethylene cover may be installed (or another vapor-resistant cover) to prevent moisture from gaining access through the ground. Insulating the walls and opening foundation vents may also help. Moldy carpeting may need deep cleaning or replacement, while mold on wood flooring may need to be cleaned and treated with a mildew-resistant paint.
  • Walls: Excess moisture in walls can rot your home’s structure and cause paint to bubble. Adding more wall insulation, using vapor-retardant paints and air sealing leaks can help stop the problem.
  • Mechanical systems: Mold and mildew can also take over when humidity causes condensation buildup around toilet tanks and water pipes. Waterproof insulation can be used inside toilet tanks, while pipes can be wrapped with insulation to stop moisture from spreading.
  • Personal items: Clothing can also be a target of excess humidity. Your contractor may simply suggest opening closets or using fans to increase circulation. Silica gel packets may also be used to absorb excess moisture.
  • Attic: To lower humidity in your attic, install a vapor barrier or adequate venting.

Do you need a qualified contractor to install a dehumidifier in your home? Please feel free to contact Overland Park Heating & Cooling, Inc. today.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Overland Park, Kansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

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