You may have heard the old saying “it’s not the temperature, it’s the humidity”. That saying is also true when you are talking about the comfort inside your home. Not only can the humidity level in your home affect your comfort, but it can also be harmful to your home and affect your health as well.
If your indoor humidity level is too low you could experience:
- Chronic physical symptoms such as sore throats, dry/itchy skin, nose bleeds or sinus irritation.
- Your wood floors can shrink and begin to crack. Joints in wooden furniture become loose and eventually fail.
- Pianos and other musical instruments fall out of tune.
- Wall paper can begin to peel. Paint or plaster start to crack.
If your indoor humidity level is too high you could experience:
- Mold and mildew formed on your walls causing worse allergies or asthma.
- Your skin will often feel clammy, sweaty or sticky.
- A musty smelling odor in your living space.
- Wood floors and furniture can begin to warp or rot.
- Your home becomes a breeding ground for insects and other pests.
There are several things you can do to help humidity issues in your home. The first thing to check is your ventilation. You should use ventilation fans in kitchens and bathrooms and make sure they are vented all the way through to the outside. Also cover your dirt floor crawlspace under you house with plastic to act as a vapor barrier. You might also need a humidifier or a dehumidifier installed into your heating and cooling duct system to get to a comfortable and safe amount of humidity. If you are experiencing any symptoms of a humidity issue give us a call at (541)899-3155 or read our upcoming blogs for more information.