Many people may have moisture problems in their home that they may think can be solved by simply opening a window. However, most moisture problems can only be solved by investing in a dehumidifier. Here are 10 signs you need to buy one right now.
Persistent Condensation
One of the first signs of needing a couple of dehumidifiers is simply the presence of persistent condensation. Not necessarily in areas where condensation is common, such as your laundry room or bathroom, but rather in areas where there just shouldn’t be a build-up.
Rooms like your living room, bedroom, or even your kitchen, are not areas where there should be a build-up of moisture on your walls and windows.
Consistent Mold Growth
With condensation, you will often get mold growth. Mold can form and spread fairly quickly, and a small spot in the corner of your ceiling can quickly become a massive, house-wide issue.
Another problem is that mold growth can often be hidden, found behind washing machines, in food cupboards, or somewhere similar. A dehumidifier can quickly and persistently remove the moisture in your home that can cause mold.
Musty Odours
Another small sign that you may notice is a musty odor in your home or in one or two rooms. It can be subtle, but it can often smell like wet laundry that you forgot to dry. While not a massive problem on its own, it is a sign of moisture buildup.
Slow-Drying Laundry
Another sign of excess moisture in your home is your laundry drying more slowly. In colder countries, many people choose to dry their clothes inside, and if it starts taking three, four, or even five days for clothing to dry, it is often because there is too much moisture in the air.
While your wet laundry problem can be solved by putting your clothes next to a radiator or open window, your moisture problem will need a dehumidifier.
Food Doesn’t Last
Another small issue that may go unnoticed is your food going off or becoming moldy quicker than you expect. For instance, bread will become moldy in a matter of days when exposed to too much moisture.
This applies to several other foods, and if you start to notice this, it can be a sign of increased moisture or humidity in your home.
Warped Wood
Another sign of moisture buildup is wood in your home becoming warp. This isn’t always easy to spot, as tables, chairs, couches, etc, need a lot of moisture to start warping. However, there is a way to see if it is happening.
More often than not, wooden doors will start to stick a bit when opening or closing them, and they aren’t as smooth as usual. This means that the wood has expanded, which is due to moisture retention.
Increased Allergy Symptoms
Another sign of increased moisture is an increase in allergy symptoms. The moisture is a breeding ground for dustmites and other bacteria, and some individuals may start to cough more, have a runny nose, or sneeze more.
Another sign of this can be an increase in snoring. Considering your sinuses and nose are affected by excess moisture, if you are snoring more, it is often a sign that you need a dehumidifier.
Rusty Metals
Another clear sign that you need a dehumidifier is one that is a bit more obvious. If metal fixings, door handles, parts of furniture, etc, start to become rusty, that is a clear sign of moisture exposure.
More often than not, there is no real reason for metal inside your home to start to rust, and if it does, you will know what the problem is, especially if the metal is still relatively new.
Peeling Paint/Wallpaper/Moisture Spots
Another way to spot increased moisture buildup is to look at your wall paint and wallpaper. If it starts to peel or tear, especially when it is still relatively new, it can be a sign of moisture in the home.
You also don’t need to see peeling paint to spot a moisture problem. Another common sign is discoloring or water spots. Usually found with a yellow or light brown hue, these moisture spots can be a precursor to peeling and cracking.
General Increase in Moisture
Finally, and one of the more obvious signs, is a general increase in moisture. Depending on the type of house you live in, the first signs of this will be in the attic or basement, two areas that generally don’t receive a lot of sunlight or wind, two things that would dry rooms out.
If you can’t see the condensation or moisture buildup, you may feel it instead. It will be similar to the air on a humid day, just more bearable. However, being more bearable does not mean it is not a problem.
In conclusion, these are some of the bigger signs of excess moisture in your home. If you are experiencing any of these, or start to see the signs of these problems starting, it is most definitely time to invest in a dehumidifier.
