The average humidity level for a basement is around 60%. Use a humidity indicator to measure the relative humidity in your house. Here are some of them: In a nutshell, a good humidity level for a basement is 50%. There are several reasons your basement has high humidity levels. Besides that, you can use exhaust fans when conducting activities like drying clothes, mopping the floors, or showering. How can you fix your humidity levels? When the temperature drops, the humidity levels can also drop, which affects your basement humidity in winter. Why Are Basements Likely to Have High Levels of Humidity? Maintaining a good relative humidity level helps eliminate one easily preventable factor in the causes of these home and health problems. Therefore, in such cases, it is important to properly clean and dehumidify the basement before running a fan to avoid exacerbating any health problems. Understanding these ranges will allow you toreduce the risk of health risks and structural damage. Tell-Tale Signs That Your Basement Has Excess Moisture, Risks Associated with High Humidity Level in Your Basement, Tell-Tale Signs that your Basement has Excess Moisture, Risks Associated with High Humidity Level in your Basement, Ways of Reducing the Humidity Level in your Basement, How To Use a Portable Band Saw in 7 Simple Steps, 6 Types of Hydroponic Systems Explained (With Pictures). How do I know if my basement is too humid? In order to maintain that humidity level, May suggests using a dehumidifier and measure the humidity level often. Typically, monitoring humidity levels is not the first item of business on a homeowners list of things to do. Consult a building contractor to determine the adequacy of the vapor barrier in your house. Ventilation: Proper ventilation is crucial in reducing indoor humidity levels. At any given time, you want around 30% humidity in your basement. Dont Miss: How To Get Rid Of Mildew Smell In Basement. Over the years, he has developed a keen interest in a wide variety of DIY projects around the home. In this article, Ill delve into more detail about: While this is true, having your dehumidifier work perfectly can be a daunting challenge. Leaking pipes having a leaking pipe will always add moisture to the home. For most homes with seasonally damp basements, a better option is a portable dehumidifier. While humid air can have some benefits for respiratory health, its not necessarily a good thing for the lungs. When humidity levels drop below 25% health problems such as dry skin, nosebleeds, as well as surprise static electricity shock attacks from someone in a pair of fuzzy socks can occur. Set the humidity level. Very high readings are considered to be anything above 70% humidity, while low humidity is anything below 25%. But what is the ideal basement humidity level? In addition, bugs thrive in humid atmospheres. There are different risks associated with a relative humidity that is too high or low. The American Society of Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends these maximum indoor humidity levels. Its also important to consider the type of mold when discussing humidity levels. A lower level will cause a decline in the efficiency of your heating system. Best Dehumidifier for Basement 2021 Top 6 Dehumidifiers for Basement, Safe Basement Flooring and the Right Dehumidifier | The Basement Doctor | Live On A Job Part 8, Dehumidifier Install in Home | DIY Humidity Control with Dehumidifier | How to Control Humidity, How to remove humidity from a room without a dehumidifier (A comprehensive answer), 5 Best Dehumidifier for Basement | Top 5 Best Dehumidifiers for Basement 2020, Best Dehumidifier for Basement Top 7 Dehumidifier for Basement Reviews (For Every Budget), Why Is My Dehumidifier Blowing Hot Air Top Answers, Best Dehumidifier for Basement | Top 5 Dehumidifiers for Basement 2020, what is a good humidity level for a basement, Best Mini dehumidifier in under budget details reviews, How Long to Leave Dehumidifier On For (The Best Pro Tips), How Long Does It Take for a Dehumidifier to Work A User Guide.
It is a desiccant, which means that it can absorb moisture from the air and keep it trapped within its structure. If the basement is only slightly damp and the source of the moisture has been addressed, a fan may be enough to reduce humidity levels and eliminate the need for additional equipment. Laundry doing laundry in the basement and having an exhaust vent that leaks will increase humidity levels in the basement. It implies that the moisture content will increase when the temperature rises indoors. Its critical to keep under the 50% mark. What is the ideal RH level for a basement? A clean duct vents your dryers warm exhaust air to the outside. So, depending on the season, there are ways of regulating the levels for your health benefits. Many homeowners look for solutions to reduce the humidity levels in their basement, and using a fan is a popular option. One thing recommended is never to exceed the mark of 50 because it may enable bacteria growth. In extreme cold, that window condensation may appear in the form of frost on the inside of your windows! Ventilate humid spaces, and use a dehumidifier or an AC to help remove excess moisture from the air. Alternatively, you may purchase a hygrometer and keep it near your dehumidifier. Moreover, high humidity levels can also cause damage to the buildings structure over time. When humidity levels get too high, you can use a dehumidifier to reduce the levels back down to the recommended 30-50%. Another way to check the humidity level in your basement is by using a hygrometer. A relative humidity level of 70 percent or higher creates the perfect breeding ground for mold growth. As a homeowner, you want to prevent a breeding ground for mold. Designed By: WolfPack Advising. Pete has been working in the trades since high school, where he first developed a passion for woodworking. Dehumidify your basement Mold and mildew flourish when the relative humidity level is above 80%; therefore all You can go drier, but energy use goes up. However, when it comes to the basement dehumidifier setting, were sometimes perplexed should be set the dehumidifier to 30%, 40%, 50%, or even 60% relative humidity? That includes the basement dehumidifier setting. In the end, youll find the commentary for 30%, 40%, 50%, and 60% relative humidity settings. Additionally, a fan in the basement may not be effective if the basement is already too humid to begin with.
Monitor indoor humidity levels: Its essential to monitor the indoor humidity levels regularly to ensure they stay within a healthy range. This could cause some health issues such as dry skin, respiratory illness, or nosebleeds to name a few. Basements can often be cooler than the rest of the house due to their underground location. A sump pump that isnt working properly will contribute to added moisture levels in the basement. The Flume 2 system consists of a strap-on water sensor and a Wi-Fi bridge. EverDry Toledo | Basement Waterproofing Blog | Latest News and Tips for Basements, Toledo Basement Waterproofing & Inspection, Phone: (419) 841-6055 Fax: (419) 841-8267, Monday:8AM to 7:30PM Tuesday:8AM to 7:30PM Wednesday:8AM to 7:30PM Thursday:8AM to 7:30PM Friday:8AM to 7PM Saturday:9AM to 2PM Sunday:Closed, Toxic House Syndrome Could Make Your Time at Home a Nightmare. High humidity levels in a basement can have many potential causes. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'coalitionbrewing_com-leader-2','ezslot_16',154,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-coalitionbrewing_com-leader-2-0');2. This can further help to reduce the humidity levels in the space. Most commonly, summer weather can increase humidity and winter can decrease humidity. Additionally, there are several steps you can take to decrease humidity levels in your home, such as minimizing indoor plants, using a fan or air conditioner, and ensuring that your home is properly sealed to prevent humidity from entering. The best way to detect results earlier is by using a hygrometer, a device that measures the ambient humidity in the air around it. Heres how to get the most from your dehumidifier. What are the Different Types of RH Levels? However, nothing is perfect no matter the luxury. But when that frost melts, the excess moisture collects and becomes a great place for mold to grow. This is because high humidity can promote the growth of mold, fungi, and dust mites, which can exacerbate allergies and respiratory conditions. Please be aware that the RH of other rooms in your basement must still be kept at the 30 to 50 percent range. If you dont have a way to reduce the humidity levels between 30 and 50 percent, you can expect an increased mold issue. Warmer summertime air comes into your home bringing its excess humidity with it. If youre wondering whether a 70% humidity level is too high for a basement, the answer is yes, it is too high. If its more than 60%, its too humid. Poor insulation and large differences between indoor and outdoor temperature levels may be obvious factors, but there are many more you might not have considered. At humidity levels above 70%, the air is saturated with moisture and it cannot hold any more water, which creates a favorable environment for mold to grow. Generally speaking, 30 to 50 percent, however, percents can depend on the climate and basement. When youre cooking or right before you shower, turn on the range hood or bathroom exhaust fan to remove moisture from the space. Running a fan in a basement can be beneficial in terms of enhancing air quality, improving ventilation, and regulating temperature. 60% humidity is too high for a basement.
Subscribe & Get Exclusive Home Improvement Guides. WebBoth winter and summer levels fall within the 30-60% range, with a 10% variation at the appropriate end of the scale: Optimal indoor summer humidity levels: 40-60%. Lets dive right in. On the other hand, a dehumidifier has extra features such as cold evaporator coils and converts water vapor into water. Proper airflow can help reduce indoor humidity levels by drawing in fresh, dry air from outside, but this method may not be suitable for every home or climate. Humidity level greater than 50 to 55 per cent Easiest way to find this out is using a hygrometer, which are inexpensive. When this air enters your basement, it is cooled to 65 degrees with a relative humidity of 98 percent. Basement Apartment For Rent Douglasville Ga, How To Get Rid Of Mildew Smell In Basement, Homes For Sale In Snellville Ga With Basement And Pool, Homes For Sale In Dallas Ga With Basements, How To Stop Water From Leaking Into Basement, Inadequate drain spouts and liquid gathering, A significant variation in temp between indoors and outside, The fungal formation can cause cement and wall plaster to crumble, increasing fungi development, which might lead to respiratory difficulties for residents. Use air conditioning: Air conditioning systems can help reduce humidity levels in your home. However you will want to keep an eye on it, especially when theres a cold snap.