When the humidity in your home exceeds the norm, you need to do something about it immediately. Some people live without paying attention to it, but this is a big mistake, since excessive humidity in the apartment can provoke the appearance of various diseases. A humid environment is ideal for the growth of fungus and other pathogenic bacteria.
In addition, an unpleasant musty smell may appear in the house, which over time will permeate all the furniture, linens and clothes. You can avoid such problems by knowing how to reduce indoor humidity.
Humidity standards in residential premises
Before you try to get rid of humidity in your home, you need to measure it. Relative humidity in a residential area should be between 40–60%. To measure it, a device called a hygrometer is used.
There are several types of hygrometers, but for an apartment it is most convenient to use the electronic version. Using such a device, you don’t have to do anything, just monitor the indicators.
What air humidity is considered normal in an apartment?
How to reduce indoor humidity
A kitchen hood significantly reduces humidity throughout the entire apartment.
To bring high humidity back to normal, do the following:
- On sunny days, open the curtains to allow light into the room. Avoid placing flowers that are too bulky on windowsills.
- During the hot season and in the frosty winter, the air outside is dry. Therefore, you should ventilate the room as often as possible, and the humidity will decrease. Ideal option There will be airing 3 times a day for 30 minutes. And at night, leave the windows ajar, at least in the kitchen.
- Check ventilation. If it is faulty, it should be repaired, as it will be a good assistant in the fight against dampness.
- If you have an air conditioner, you can use it to reduce humidity; there is a special function for purifying and drying the air.
An air conditioner with a drying function or special dehumidifiers will help combat high humidity.
- Household heaters will also help overcome dampness. They quickly not only heat the air, but also dry it.
- Certain building materials contribute to low humidity. This is wood and drywall. By covering the walls with them, you will adjust the hygrometer readings. And also use waterproofing plaster. It is completely waterproof and can withstand water pressure up to 5 meters deep.
- Dampness will also be eliminated after insulating the external walls. Unless the cause of this very dampness is a flooded basement.
- Helps remove excess moisture in the kitchen kitchen hood. It should be used every time during cooking. If there is no hood, cover the pots with lids.
- A slight reduction in air humidity can be achieved using a hairdryer, candles and indoor plants.
- Dampness in the closet can be overcome by ironing clothes with a hot iron.
How to get rid of an unpleasant smell in an apartment
Folk recipes
Salt and sugar are highly hygroscopic.
In addition to the methods listed above, there are also folk recipes that will help eliminate dampness in your home:
When using silica gel to reduce humidity, be careful if there are small children in the house.
How to remove mold from apartment walls and balconies
How to get rid of humidity in an apartment using a special device
If your hygrometer readings are off the charts and you are wondering how to remove humidity in your home, special equipment can help. In stores you can find a device called a dehumidifier or dehumidifier.
Excessively humid air passes through a special evaporator. The temperature inside is lower than in the room. Due to this, the moisture turns into condensation and flows into a container intended for this purpose. And drier air enters the room.
How to get rid of mold on a wall without tearing off the wallpaper
Such devices can be stationary or portable. Stationary devices have greater productivity and are mounted on the wall. Portable dehumidifiers, in turn, are smaller, but they also have less power. When choosing a dehumidifier, pay attention to the power, the higher it is, the better.
Quality air in your home has a beneficial effect on your health. Knowing how to reduce humidity in an apartment and maintaining these indicators within normal limits, you provide yourself and your loved ones comfortable conditions for life.
In a living room, 60% humidity is considered optimal. A decrease in air humidity is allowed in the summer months to 45%. According to experts, you can easily measure the humidity level in your home using a special device - a hygrometer.
Excess humidity in the room must be combated, since it provokes not only the appearance of condensation on window glass, but also creates a beneficial environment for the proliferation of fungal spores, mold, and pathogens.
The development of mold fungi indoors has a detrimental effect on the human body; their spores can cause allergic reactions, headaches, shortness of breath, cough, skin inflammation, and itching. Some types of mushrooms have carcinogenic properties and increase the risk of developing cancer.
If you are interested in Canadian house price, then take care to normalize the humidity in your home. From excess moisture Furniture, wall and ceiling coverings become unusable, and the shelf life of food products is significantly reduced.
How to reduce air humidity in your home
1. After cooking, showering or bathing, hand wash steam accumulates, so it is important to ventilate these areas immediately to avoid excess humidity. Installing a hood is necessary if moisture appears from the shower cabin or gas stove with regular evaporation.
2.
Drying clothes in the house is extremely undesirable. It's better to do it on outdoors or in a spare room with closed door and an open window.
3. To bring the air humidity in the house back to normal, on sunny days do not curtain the windows in damp rooms, let the rays of the sun dry them.
4. During dry hot summers and frosty winter weather, the air outside is dry. Simple ventilation will help reduce humidity in the room.
5.
There is a special device - a moisture absorber, which contains an absorbent substance that absorbs excess moisture from the air, like a sponge.
6. Plastic windows - common reason high humidity in room. Hermetically sealed closed windows- barrier to air exchange between internal space buildings and street. To avoid this, when choosing PVC profile windows, it is better to purchase frames with a built-in ventilation system.
7. Excess moisture in the room is removed by household heaters, hair dryers and candles, houseplants. Ventilation in good condition is also a good help in solving the problem of high humidity.
8.
An effective way to reduce indoor air humidity is air conditioning. In addition to cooling or heating them additional functions are air purification and dehumidification.
9.
Faulty plumbing increases the overall humidity in the air, so you should replace outdated parts or repair areas where there are leaks.
10.
Decorating walls with natural building materials - wood and plasterboard - helps reduce humidity. Drywall has the ability to absorb excess moisture and accumulate it, and, if necessary, evaporate. So this one construction material is an excellent microclimate regulator in the house.
For a comfortable stay in the house, it is very important to create the right microclimate. To do this, you must adhere to the above rules and recommendations and choose high-quality equipment to create the necessary atmosphere for living.
Prepared by Maryana Chornovil
From this article you will learn about the main causes of dampness in an apartment or house. We will also talk about how to eliminate these causes and restore the normal microclimate of your home.
You will learn about the traditional and most modern methods solutions to the problem of air drying.When the seasons change, almost all owners are faced with increased humidity due to melting snow. The range of negative phenomena is wide: from mild discomfort to “crying” walls and mold. Let's look at some of the most popular cases and causes of dampness in residential premises, as well as ways to combat this unpleasant phenomenon.
Any changes in the microclimate have their own reason, by influencing which it is possible to change it. Dampness has its own “sources,” which the owner may not know about or may not attach importance to them.
Reason No. 1. Poor ventilation
Owners often “forget” about installing forced ventilation during renovations to save money, relying entirely on windows and doors. In our apartments, the design provides for ventilation of two rooms - a bathroom and a kitchen. Residential premises have vents, windows and balconies for ventilation. Of course, ventilation lowers the temperature of the room by blowing out warm (and humid) air, so it is rarely used during cold periods.
The drying effect in summer is achieved by mixing dry air from the street with saturated with vapors internal "exhaust" air. During transition periods, especially at the beginning of spring, atmospheric air is saturated with vapor, but remains cold. Accordingly, ventilation does not bring the desired effect.
How to fight
Check the ventilation arranged according to the project - the draft should be noticeable. If there is good draft in the kitchen and bathroom, but dampness is not removed, there are three options for solving this problem.
1. Forced exhaust ventilation. The installation of such a system, although it will entail certain costs and inconveniences, will solve the problem of dampness once and for all. A branched hood has its drawbacks - energy consumption, channel system, background noise. The minimum that can be done is to install a fan in the kitchen duct.
2. Installation of the recuperator. A ducted room heat exchanger such as “PRANA”, “Reventa” or an analogue is a more modern and ergonomic element that solves two problems at once - the exhaust of humid air and the influx of fresh air. Many models are heated for operation in winter period. The cost of a duct recuperator is from 340 to 380 USD. e.
Duct recuperator "PRANA" on video
3. Use a dehumidifier. This device passes air through itself, collecting excess moisture and filtering it. This device is very effective - it removes dampness from the room within an hour. At the same time, the composition of the air remains unchanged. The moisture is collected in a separate container and drained. Filters, ozonizers and flavors can optionally be integrated into the device. The cost of such a device for a room of 30–50 square meters. m ranges from 140 to 220 cu. e.
Reason No. 2. Source of moisture
In private homes, these are septic tanks or shambo located close to the house. They saturate the soil with water, the water passes under the house, the soil surrounding the foundation or basement becomes damp. The same with atmospheric waters flowing onto the split blind area. Dampness in the basement and in the floor of the 1st floor is ensured.
In apartments this could be:
- leaking roof;
- a defect in the gutter or roof overhang that directs atmospheric water to the wall of the apartment;
- windy side of the house - rain constantly falls on the wall of the apartment;
- constantly running taps, plumbing;
- a large number of water on the lower floor - aquariums, swimming pool, sauna;
- evaporation of condensation on the windows (which collects due to poor ventilation).
It is difficult to name other trouble-free open sources of moisture in an apartment, but in each individual case everything is possible.
How to fight
Eliminate the source. Fix the roof or gutter, move the septic tank, protect the wall from atmospheric waters. If the reason is open source, waterproofing should be done liquid composition. Remember that waterproofing is applied from the side of the moisture source.
Video - where does dampness come from in the house?
Reason No. 3. Unheated room
Extreme savings on heating according to the principle “only warm air in the room" is the most common cause of dampness in the "crying walls" of an apartment or house. The wall must be heated to at least half its thickness. Then the dew point (the place where condensation forms) will face the street. A frozen wall shifts the dew point closer to the warm area, and sometimes even to the inner plane.
This problem often works in conjunction with a lack of ventilation. Abandoned or poorly heated rooms become damp very quickly - finishing materials are destroyed in 2 seasons, the structure loses up to 5-6% of its strength annually (in addition to natural wear and tear). It is extremely undesirable to combine heated and unheated (according to the design) premises under one roof.
How to fight
Increase heating. Try to calculate how much damage your home can suffer from merciless dampness and the amount you will save on heating. Then compare these amounts and draw a conclusion. Of course, insulation must be of high quality and timely.
If it is not possible to increase the temperature, install fans on heating devices and provide short-term ventilation - the humidity will level out. Do not leave the house unheated; if you are going to return, find someone who will heat it.
Reason No. 4. Improper insulation
Thermal insulation of walls with cheap and lightweight polystyrene foam or expensive modern extruded polystyrene foam has already gained momentum and is becoming a welcome event for residents apartment buildings. Almost no one ever does thermotechnical calculation walls of the apartment to determine the thickness of the insulation. Therefore, when choosing a layer of insufficient thickness, the wall continues to freeze and become damp.
Living in such a “thermos” can be ruined by dampness in the apartment and inevitable fungus. The reason is the same dew point, which is comfortably located between the panel (wall) and the insulation board. In addition, the vapor permeability of the sounded materials is close to zero and this is not the only problem with foam. Cheap material, produced by handicraft methods, is extremely flammable and toxic when heated. Keep this in mind when preparing to insulate your apartment.
Problems with polystyrene foam on video
How to fight
Study useful articles, forums where engineers and builders with extensive experience speak out. Understanding the physics of processes will save you not only from dampness, but also from many other troubles. There are two sure-fire options for insulating an apartment:
- A deliberately excessive layer of polystyrene insulation. A thickness of 100–150 mm guarantees that the dew point is located outside the wall (in the thickness of the insulation) for any region.
- Vapor permeable insulation. Mineral wool, ecowool, any type of ventilated facade. This is guaranteed to get rid of moisture in the walls.
How to properly insulate walls, watch the video
Dampness in an apartment can cause the appearance of mold, which, when it enters the body, causes viral diseases person. In addition, humid air itself is not suitable for everyone. Weakness, soreness, spontaneous loss of performance - this is what can happen due to excess moisture in the air. Therefore, eliminating moisture is a concern not only for your own walls, but also for yourself and your loved ones.
Vitaly Dolbinov, rmnt.ru
Regular tidying is necessary to create comfortable living conditions in the house. But maintaining cleanliness does not protect residents from the formation of dampness, and as a result, mold. We will tell you in detail how to remove dampness from the walls yourself, and how molds are dangerous for human health.
Reasons for education
Before you deal with moisture, you need to find its source. Often dampness on the walls is the result of a complex of reasons. The most common of them:
- Leaks - occur when the water supply system, sewer pipe, or roof roof is damaged;
- Poor ventilation;
- Unsuitable waterproofing of floors and foundations;
- A large number of house plants;
- External factors - proximity to the river, heavy rains, groundwater etc.
However, the most important factor in high humidity is the person himself. IN normal conditions an adult produces up to 2.5 liters of water vapor per day, including that during cooking, washing, water procedures etc. Even a slight deviation from the norm, for example, when drying clothes in the bathroom, is fraught with consequences.
Remedies
Finding the reason for the formation high humidity and having eliminated it, you can start drying the room. Such expensive methods as the use of heat guns are necessary only to eliminate the consequences of flooding or for very large premises. In an apartment or private house, the following measures can quickly eliminate dampness on the walls:
- Heater – the device provides air convection; even a small heater will cope with the task in 1-2 days;
- Household dehumidifier - the power of the unit is determined by the size of the home; to eliminate dampness on 50 m², a device with a power of 400 W is sufficient;
- Silica gel is a substance that absorbs moisture and organic vapors from the air; for household use it is supplied in the form of granules, they need to be spread out in a damp room; drying can last up to a week;
Finally, dampness is negatively affected by rising temperatures in the home. Using the heating system or fireplace on full power, you can dry the walls relatively quickly. However, the method is not suitable for houses made of timber - due to the direct impact high temperature wooden structures may crack.
Mold on the walls
The appearance of mold fungi in the house is possible if high humidity (70% or more) has existed for a long period of time. Of the huge variety of types of mold in nature, only a few can appear in a human home:
- Black is the most dangerous variety. Belongs to the fourth group of pathogenicity. Building structures are especially often affected.
- White – rarely forms on walls, only when condensation has been present for weeks;
- Blue – amazes wooden walls, leads to rotting of the material from the inside, its cracking.
Besides the unaesthetic appearance, mold causes great harm to human health. The reason for this is the saturation of mycotoxins that destroy any type of living tissue. Entry into the body occurs both through direct contact and through the release of spores and their penetration into respiratory system. If you do not remove dampness from the walls of your home before mold develops on them, the following diseases are possible:
- Skin lesions – mycoses, dermatoses;
- Respiratory tract damage – asthma, bronchitis, cough;
- Digestive system disorders;
- Exacerbation chronic diseases – nervous system, musculoskeletal system.
The presence of mold has a particularly serious impact on allergy sufferers and people with pulmonary insufficiency.
Remedies
Mold fungi are difficult to remove. In all cases fine coating you will have to completely remove the wallpaper, plaster, and if great depth lesions and putty to the very base of the wall. The only exception may be a painted surface, since mold has difficulty penetrating a layer of paint, but spreads more strongly over its area.
The best way to remove mold and dampness from your home is to use chemical compositions, some of which are easy to prepare at home:
- Antiseptic primers – special means with a high content of fungicides; with their help you can process the wall to a depth of 0.5 cm;
- Household bleaches - any type containing sodium hypochlorite will do;
- Hydrogen peroxide - 3% composition is used; due to the whitening effect, it is not suitable for treating painted surfaces;
- Potassium permanganate - found in everyday life in the form of a solution of potassium permanganate; used as a mixture - 15 g per 1 liter of water;
- Vinegar and lemon acid– effective at the initial stage of mold development.
Even after eliminating the fungus in the room, the characteristic bad smell. A simple method to get rid of it is to treat the floors with a baking soda solution. To prepare it, 15 g of the substance is dissolved in 100 ml of water.
Optimal microclimate in the house
Much depends on the indoor microclimate, including the health of the inhabitants. But the structure of the house, the safety of the walls, floors, and ceilings suffer no less from temperature and humidity.
To avoid costly repairs, it is important to maintain an optimal microclimate in the premises. That for humidity is no more than 60% in winter time year and 65% in summer. For air temperature – at least 15°C. It is not difficult to notice a deviation from the norm; dampness is manifested by the following signs:
- Condensation on glass and sections of walls connected to the ceiling;
- Characteristic “wet” smell;
- Swelling of wooden structures; expressed, for example, in poorly closed doors;
- Damp salt and sugar.
At the first sign of high humidity, do not hesitate. If you do not remove dampness from the walls in time, mold will soon form. Removing it will take weeks and may lead to the need cosmetic repairs. Determining humidity above normal “by eye” is problematic; a simple home appliance hygrometer.
Note that high humidity has a destructive effect not only on wooden structures, leading to their rotting, but also on stone ones - brick, concrete. Soaked in water, they crumble, a process that accelerates in regions with cold winters. They suffer a little less metal constructions, but they are also susceptible to corrosion.
Prevention
So that residents do not have to worry about how to remove dampness from the walls, it is important to know effective ways preventing its occurrence. It is enough to take a number of simple measures:
- Ventilate the room for at least 10-15 minutes every day, creating a draft;
- Dry clothes only on the balcony or outside;
- Equip a ventilation system in the kitchen;
- Use air filters– models equipped with a hera filter are more preferable;
- Install air conditioners in combination with fungicidal filters against mold fungi;
- Do not overuse wet cleaning.
It is not so easy to completely remove fungus from dampness on the walls. It happens often reappearance from spores that survived processing in the depths of the floor structure.
Provide own health and keeping your home safe is not that difficult. To do this, it is enough to follow basic rules for care of premises. And when mold appears, under no circumstances should the problem be left to chance.
To live comfortably in an apartment or house, a healthy microclimate is necessary. It directly depends on humidity indicators. If they are too low or high, this will lead to a number of problems. Especially often, apartment residents and owners of premises (commercial, warehouse or other) are faced with increased air humidity. As a result, the walls become covered with mold, which spoils even durable materials.
Excess moisture also causes condensation to form on the ceiling. An unpleasant odor appears in the house and various microbes multiply. They, in turn, can cause allergic reactions in people indoors. Reducing humidity must be taken seriously, because ignoring this indicator will affect people's health and the condition of the home. We will discuss below how you can reduce indoor humidity.
First you need to find out the reason for the appearance of excess moisture. It can be rooted both inside the house and depend on home conditions, and outside, and is a consequence of street temperature and humidity indicators. The most common internal causes of high humidity are:
- Badly organized ventilation– if the owner of the house installed it himself, it is recommended to call a technician to check the correct connection and operation of the equipment.
- Frequent drying of washed clothes - in some apartments with old layouts, the bathroom is not separated from the kitchen. In such cases, dampness from things spreads throughout all rooms. But even if the bath is located separately, some apartment owners often leave the door to the bathroom open. And again the moisture evaporates beyond the boundaries of one room.
- The location of the windows on the north side means less sun penetrates into the room and, as a result, the humidity of the microclimate increases.
- The presence of an aquarium - water evaporates from it, absorbing into the walls and ceiling of the house.
- A large number of residents - do not forget that moisture evaporates when people breathe. If there are a lot of them in the apartment, and the room itself is small, there is a high probability of microclimate failure.
There are also external conditions that affect the level of humidity in the room. Among them it is worth noting:
- Climatic features of the region - in some cities there is high humidity all year round.
- During rain, snowfall and thaw, there is a general increase in the moisture content in the air.
- An important point is the presence of salt in the concrete - if the house was built in winter, then there is a possibility that the builders added salt to the concrete. This method is used to increase the strength of the material. However, salt has big drawback– the walls become damp because of it. This goes away over the years, but the first 3-5 years of high humidity cannot be avoided.
- Errors during construction - these include poor-quality waterproofing of walls from the foundation and a flimsy, often leaking roof. It is almost impossible to correct such defects, since flaws were made during the construction of the building. You can only mitigate the problem by selecting additional equipment for dehumidifying the air.