The most immediate effect of high humidity is personal discomfort. When it’s too hot and humid, our bodies are less efficient at releasing heat which means we sweat. Nothing too dangerous you might say, but try going to work wearing a suit and tie while your shirt sticks to your body, and you’re constantly wiping beads of sweat off your forehead!
While there’s not much you can do about it when you’re outside, but you can lower the level of humidity inside your own home by getting a dehumidifier. I’m not going to discuss them here since there are plenty of articles on my website to help in that respect. Instead, I’m going to focus on the adverse effects high humidity can have on your health as well as your bricks and mortar.
Effects of High Humidity on Your Health
A humid environment is a breeding ground for all sorts of microscopic organisms that can harm your health. Mildew and mold spores thrive in it, and they can be highly toxic once they get into your body. If mold is clearly visible inside your home, you have a problem that needs immediate attention. Even if there are no signs, mold and mildew can still spread throughout the vents, or behind walls.
Dust mites also love humidity, and they’re one of the biggest enemies for people who suffer from asthma and allergies. Needless to say, all sorts of bacteria can be found in spaces with high relative humidity. People who live in homes that are struck by mold growth and mildew get sick more often, and their overall health is a lot poorer. Asthma sufferers also experiences more frequent attacks. By getting a dehumidifier, it is possible to solve these problems (or at the very least alleviate them).
Effects of High Humidity on Your Home
Your health comes first, but high humidity levels can have a negative effect on your home as well which is not something that should be taken lightly! For example, basements and crawl spaces are extremely humid and poorly ventilated. Mold and mildew is sure to develop, and humidity can seep into every pore of the house, compromising its structural integrity. The most extreme example is when humidity makes its way into the foundations of a house. Mold and mildew can get even spread inside walls!
Have you ever seen how chairs or guitars are made? No, I’m not rambling!
In order to bend wood without breaking it, you have to expose it to steam for a period of time. Humidity does the same thing to woodwork inside a house. Floorboards begin to creak and bend as a result, and your furniture will get damaged if you don’t deal with the issue. Peeling paint and wet stains on the wall are also warning signs that humidity levels are out of control.
Effects of High Humidity on Your Wallet
Yes, a wallet is made out of leather which can get damaged by humidity, but that’s not what I mean. Trying to mitigate the damage cause by overly humid air can cost you a lot of money. If you’re having health problems, check-ups and medicines cost money. If you need to replace the floors or woodwork around your house that will also set you back quite a bit. Humidity ruins your health, your home, and your budget!
Conclusion
Feeling sweaty and uncomfortable is the least of your worries when it comes to humidity. The health and safety of your home can be compromised too. Stuffy, moldy smells inside your home, peeling paint, creaky, crooked floors are all signs you need to adopt a more proactive approach and purchase a dehumidifier. It costs money, but it costs a lot less than treating the damage caused by not addressing the problem.
