In the United States, the Baton Rouge
area in Louisiana has the distinction of being the American city with
the highest relative humidity, driving many people to seek the
relative comfort of their homes. While many homeowners know what the
oppressive humidity outside and inside feels like, they don’t often
know the consequences of having higher humidity levels in the home.
This is why we’ve taken the time to discuss four of the signs that
your Baton Rouge area home has high humidity levels.
Difficulty
Breathing or Respiratory Issues
High
humidity levels in the home can cause or aggravate respiratory issues
for those with asthma, allergies, or respiratory diseases. We’ve
all felt how the high humidity outside sometimes makes it more
difficult to breathe, but those with respiratory issues have to be
careful about the humidity levels inside the home as well. The MayoClinic says that the ideal humidity range inside your home should be
between 30% and 50%. Mold or mildew also impacts indoor air quality and thrives in high humidity and also
causes allergic reactions, triggers asthma responses, and aggravates
respiratory issues.
Condensation on
Windows
A
clear sign of high humidity levels inside your home is if you see
moisture forming on your windows, toilet base, or pipes. Condensation
occurs when the air inside your home is more humid than those
surfaces, which makes it all the more important to investigate and
address the high humidity levels before a problem arises and you’re
left with a bigger problem. Preventative maintenance on your HVAC
system often helps with high humidity problems.
Stained or Rotting
Wood
If
you come across stained or rotting wood, it’s a good indicator that
your home has excessive moisture levels. Wood is sensitive to
humidity changes, and higher levels of humidity lead to wood
absorbing that moisture, causing swelling, stains, and even rotting
over time. This goes for the floors, structural supports of your
home, furniture, window frames, and other wood fittings. One way to
prevent damage to furniture is to place the furniture piece away from
exterior walls, as keeping the furniture pieces close to exterior
walls increases the risk of dampness.
Water Stains on
Ceilings and Walls
Water stains on the ceilings and
walls are another telltale sign of high humidity in the home. Water
stains occur when the moisture in the air condenses on walls and
ceilings, leaving behind unsightly discolored patches. Signs of
visible damage on ceilings and walls, apart from stains, include a
crumbly and/or bowing appearance.
Contact Us
When it comes to
high humidity in the home, don’t ignore the signs. Whether you
notice condensation on the windows, stained or rotting wood, or water
stains on ceilings or walls, it’s time to tackle your high humidity
problems. Visit Air Creation Heating & Cooling, serving the Baton
Rouge area, for all your heating and cooling needs. Schedule an
appointment for a free quote today by filling out our convenient form
or calling us at (225) 313-0550.
