It’s in the air we breathe!

• Posted on December 10, 2018
• by mikew
• in Fix It & Use It
• No Comments.

This time of year we are bundling up, closing things up and heating things up. Pots of soup are simmering on the oven, steamy baths are helping us relax and lots of family and friends are visiting over the holidays. And all of this is leaving merry-ness, and moisture, in the air.

In a recent education course I took I was reminded of how much moisture we produce in our homes. One person expels almost 3 pounds of moisture into the air each day. That means a family of 4 spending 12 hours at home will release 6 pounds of water vapor into the air each day! Add to that almost 1 pound for showers, baths and bathroom usage, and another 5 pounds of water in cooking.  In a day we are generating nearly 12 pounds of water vapor into our homes. This doesn’t include moisture produced using combustion cooktops and ovens. So where is all that water going?

The short answer – any where it can. Walls, ceilings, cabinets, doors, moulding, floors, etc. And when it goes there it stays there and creates issues – like molds and mildews and organic stuff. Water is the number issue folks have in their homes. Sometimes we forget that it is not just from the outside or underside or plumbing parts that bring it inside. So what are we to do?

• Be sure to run your household ventilation fans. If you have a whole house fan, be sure it is operating at least a couple of hours a day.
• Open the window vents if you have these small slit vent at the top or sides of many vinyl window frames. Find excuses to keep doors and windows open for a little longer. When things get a little warmer in the day open the window and welcome some fresh air.
• If you have a moisture spill on a carpet or furniture, clean and dry it up. Water soaking through carpet can cause issues with the wood flooring below.
• In the bathroom or laundry room run the ventilation fan when air drying towels or using the clothes dryer. Don’t pile up wet clothes in corners and closed spaces. Get these dried out soon.
• Clean the outside lint screen for your dryer to ensure proper air flow. Clean the ductwork of lint buildup.
• Keep soaking wet foot wear outside or in the garage until they are dry. Wipe up puddles that form at door ways.