Does My House Have a Problem?

Why Should I Worry About Moisture Problems?
Does My House Have a Moisture Problem?
Reduce Moisture Sources Inside The Home
Add Insulation To Cold Surfaces
Reduce Uncontrolled Air Leakage
Install Effective Ventilation Systems
Basic Facts About Moulds
Upgrade Or Replace Windows
Check For Moisture Entry From Other Sources
Keep The Air Circulating
Get Rid Of Mould
Basic Facts About Moisture
Keep Humidity Levels Within A Healthy Range
Use Dehumidifiers Wisely
Moisture Problems, Don't Become a Statistic!

Start with a few basic questions:

• Is there persistent mould growth?
• Are there musty smells, particularly in the basement?
• Are windows fogged up or frosted up through much of the winter?
• Is there evidence of moisture deterioration – rotting wood, soft drywall, buckled siding or spalling bricks?
• Does frost build up in the attic?
• Has basement flooding ever occurred?
• Are humidity levels often above 55 percent in the winter?

What to Look For and Where

Put on some old clothes and a detective's cap, grab a flashlight and some simple tools, and go through the entire house, both inside and outside, searching for moisture damage and mould growth and their potential causes. Winter is the best time for this inspection, although basements should also be inspected in the summer. You can also do this type of inspection when you're looking to buy a home, particularly if it is an older house.

Checking your home's humidity levels

Knowing the level of relative humidity (R.H.) in your home is very useful. Buy or borrow a hygrometer and watch the changes in R.H. that occur throughout a typical day in different rooms of the house and over the heating season.

Here are some of the key locations to check:

1. mould, frost or wet insulation or wood in attic
2. mould in the bathroom
3. frost on door sills
4. damp basement walls
5. water on basement floor
6. mould behind furniture and stored items
7. frost on window frames
8. peeling paint, deteriorating siding or efflorescence on bricks
9. mould in corners
10. wall damage and wet carpets below windows
11. condensation or frost on windows
12. mould in closets
13. sagging or stained ceilings