Humidity Above 50%? How to Lower It Now to Avoid Mold Issues

Having excessive humidity at home provides the perfect breeding ground for mold. But how do you know if your indoor humidity levels are too high? And what can you do to lower humidity before mold takes hold?

We'll explain what causes high moisture levels indoors, the health dangers of prolonged exposure to mold, tips to measure and reduce humidity, and when to call in professional mold remediation experts.

What Causes High Humidity at Home

There are several common culprits that can cause indoor relative humidity levels to rise above the recommended 50% limit:

• Daily activities like showering, bathing, cooking, and doing laundry generate a significant amount of moisture and steam that lingers in your home.
• The number of occupants and pets also impacts indoor humidity. More people and pets means more breathing and perspiration adding moisture to the air.
• Outdoor humidity levels and seasonal changes can affect indoor moisture too. Humid climates or rainy seasons can drive indoor humidity up through leaks or inadequate insulation.
• Condensation buildup from poor insulation and air leaks allows outdoor water vapor to penetrate into your home's structure.
• Leaky plumbing like dripping faucets, toilet tanks, and pipes allows water intrusion that introduces excess moisture into the air.
• Insufficient ventilation and air circulation traps humid air inside instead of letting it escape outside.

Dangers of Humidity Levels Above 50%

So what's the big deal if your home's humidity rises above 50%? High moisture levels in your home can encourage mold growth and cause adverse health effects.

Mold thrives in damp, humid indoor environments above 50% relative humidity. Excessive moisture enables mold colonies to multiply and spread rapidly throughout your home by releasing spores.

Inhalation of these mold spores can trigger allergic reactions, asthma flare-ups, and worsened respiratory symptoms especially in children, the elderly, or those with sensitivities. Prolonged mold exposure is associated with common symptoms like sore throat, cough, eye irritation, and nosebleeds.

Left unchecked, high humidity provides optimal conditions for mold to take hold, potentially leading to extensive damage and costly remediation if inhaled spores become a health hazard.

By maintaining humidity under 50%, you remove the environmental factors that allow mold to thrive. Lower moisture minimizes the risk of mold taking root in your home and improves overall indoor air quality.

Measuring Your Home's Humidity Levels

To manage moisture effectively, you first need to monitor your home's current humidity levels. This provides insight into problem areas with excessive humidity and times of day when moisture spikes occur.

Use humidistat gauges or hygrometers strategically placed throughout your home to measure humidity percentages. Focus on damp, prone areas like basements, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens.

Take readings at different times of the day. Often very early mornings and evenings after daily activities like cooking or showering experience humidity peaks.

Compare indoor humidity data with humidity percentages outdoors. If indoor levels are significantly higher, your home likely has a moisture issue.

Keep a log of humidity measurements in each part of your home. This helps pinpoint patterns guiding appropriate humidity control methods.

Tips to Reduce Humidity in Your Home

Once you identify areas with concerning humidity levels, take action to lower moisture with these methods:

Manage Moisture Sources

Reduce humidity right at the source by limiting daily moisture generation:

• Take shorter showers and shallow baths.
• Always run bathroom fans during and after showering or bathing.
• Use pot lids when cooking to contain steam.
• Vent clothes dryers outdoors and use moisture absorbing wool dryer balls.
• Fix any leaky plumbing immediately to reduce water vapor released indoors.

Improve Ventilation

Proper ventilation circulates indoor air and releases moist air outside:

• Open windows regularly when outdoor humidity is lower.
• Run HVAC central fans continuously to exchange indoor and outdoor air.
• Install high powered exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms.
• Ensure bathroom fans, dryer vents, and range hoods vent directly outdoors.

Use Dehumidifiers

Dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the air:

• Place large-capacity dehumidifiers in problem areas like basements and bathrooms.
• Size units appropriately for the square footage following manufacturer guidelines.
• Models with continuous draining remove more humidity by not filling up quickly.
• Use built-in humidistat controls to maintain optimal 30-50% relative humidity.

Lower Thermostat

Because warm air holds more moisture than cooler air:

• Maintain home's temperature between 20-24degC (68-75degF) year-round.
• Lowering your thermostat setting helps reduce indoor humidity.

Combining these strategies prevents moisture from accumulating so humidity hovers within the 30-50% range inhospitable to mold growth.

When to Call In Mold Remediation Experts

Even with diligent humidity control, mold damage can still occur in homes. In these instances, professional mold remediation may be required:

• If high humidity results in visible mold growth, experts can remove mold and identify moisture sources.
• For large areas of mold contamination like inside walls or HVAC systems, professionals have specialized containment and remediation equipment.
• If you have health concerns or sensitivities when exposed to mold, the risks of self-remediation likely outweigh the benefits.
• To thoroughly dry out materials after water damage so lingering moisture does not cause mold development.
• For post-remediation testing after mold cleanup to ensure total mold elimination before rebuilding.

Companies use truck-mounted HEPA vacuums, antimicrobial agents, and air scrubbers to remove mold and prohibit spore spread. Then experts can implement moisture control systems to prevent recurrence.

Don't let mold take hold - be proactive with humidity control. Monitor indoor humidity daily, especially when outdoor conditions are very humid or very dry.

During seasons when humidity fluctuates, actively adjust dehumidifiers, ventilation, and moisture sources to keep levels between 30-50%. This inhibits mold growth while saving energy and costs.

Prevention is always preferable to dealing with mold damage. Protect your home and your family's health by maintaining ideal humidity levels of 30-50% all year round.

Use a dehumidifier: A dehumidifier is an effective way to reduce indoor humidity levels. They work by removing excess moisture from the air and collecting it in a tank. It's recommended to use a dehumidifier in areas with high humidity levels, such as basements, laundry rooms, and bathrooms.

Improve ventilation: Improving ventilation in your home can help reduce indoor humidity levels. This can be done by installing exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens, as well as opening windows during dry periods. Additionally, make sure all vents in your home are clear and functioning properly.

Fix leaks: Any leaks in your home, whether it's from a faucet, pipe, or roof, should be fixed immediately. Leaks can contribute significantly to high indoor humidity levels, as they add additional moisture to the air.

Control humidity in bedrooms: Many people don't realize that controlling humidity in bedrooms can help prevent mold growth. When you sleep, your body produces moisture, which can lead to damp conditions if ventilation is poor. Use a dehumidifier or open windows to maintain lower humidity levels.