HVAC Tips: Keep Dangerous Moisture From Building Up In Your Home

Water. We can’t live without it for more than 72 hours. Our bodies are practically made completely with water, since it is 75% of our cells by weight. But, the last thing you want is water on the loose in your home. While we may need water to live, we definitely don’t want water in the wrong places in our homes. If you get moisture buildup in your attic, HVAC system, or in your floorboards, it could lead to an expensive and even potentially dangerous disaster in the case of black mold. Right now, every modern home has a host of ways for dealing with removing water and moisture from your house. Your sinks and toilets have drains that whisk water quickly away to be processed, your bathroom and kitchen have powerful fans that vent moist air to the outside via louvered wall vents and roof vents. However, there may be a time where natural wear and tear and the unpredictability of the elements can cause these systems to break down. Here are some ways that you can start addressing and preventing moisture buildup in your home.

Keep Air Moving

Let’s start simple, shall we? One of the best and easiest ways to combat moisture buildup in your home is to keep air flowing freely through every room. Occasionally you can open doors and windows in order to let fresh air in and moist and stale air out so that the air in your home doesn’t get stagnate and trap moisture. Make sure that your windows are weather sealed and aren’t contributing to moisture buildup during cold months.

Inspect Your Roof

This is a bit tougher to tackle, but it can save you in the long run. During a clear, sunny day, carefully climb up on your roof and inspect the condition of your shingles and your roof vents. Look around the seals of your roof vents that may be coming out of your bathroom or laundry room area. Are the seals tight and waterproof? Are there missing or damaged shingles? Missing or damaged shingles could be letting in moisture, especially during the winter if there is a lot of snow on your roof. If your roof vents are loose or not functioning properly, you should replace them immediately to help keep your attic and roof moisture free. 

Check Your Gutters

Along with your roof, your gutters can contribute to moisture buildup in your home. Make sure that your gutters are cleaned at least twice a year and that they are allowing any water runoff to drain away from the house quickly and properly. If your gutters are not clean they can lead to ice dams and icicle buildup which can rot away the wood in and around your roof which allows moisture to accumulate. 

Inspect Your Wall Vents

Your home should have a vent that exits the wall near your kitchen and one that vents from your laundry room. Take your ladder and climb up as close as you can and inspect these important vents. Check their louvers to ensure that they are properly opening and closing when the exhaust fan is active. While you’re at it, make sure to check the ducts behind your wall vents. Carefully remove your wall vents and use a flashlight to inspect the ducts. Are there signs of damage or debris? If so, you may want to clean out or even replace your ducts. If that is the case, then we recommend a professional HVAC complete that task because it could damage your entire HVAC system if done improperly. 

Conclusion

If you have any questions regarding your home improvement or HVAC needs, please give us a call at: 1 (800) 234-1903 or email us at [email protected]. If you’d like to place an order for one of our high quality products like soffit vents, roof vents, or chimney caps, then please start your shopping journey by clicking here. At FAMCO, we pride ourselves in providing quality built products manufactured from quality raw materials.