Every summer, high humidity poses unique challenges for homeowners. As certified home inspectors, we see firsthand the damage humidity can cause—but the good news is, with a few practical steps, you can protect your property and your family’s well-being.
Why High Humidity Matters
Excess indoor moisture isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s destructive. Here’s how high humidity affects your home:
- Mold & Mildew Growth: Humid air creates the perfect environment for mold and mildew, leading to unsightly stains, musty odors, and potential health risks like allergies and respiratory issues.
- Structural Damage: Wood framing, floors, and furniture absorb air moisture, causing warping, swelling, or even rot. Over time, this can compromise a home’s structural integrity.
- Peeling Paint & Wallpaper: Moisture behind walls loosens adhesives and causes paint to flake or wallpaper to bubble.
- Rust & Metal Corrosion: High humidity accelerates rust on plumbing, hardware, and appliances, which may lead to failure or leaks.
- Increased Pest Activity: Many pests—including termites and cockroaches—thrive in damp environments, raising the risk of infestation in high-humidity months.
- Poor Air Quality: Mold spores and dust mites multiply with excess humidity, worsening allergies and making air feel stale.
Key Areas Home Inspectors Focus On
During summer home inspections, particular attention is paid to:
- Attics & Basements: Common trouble spots for trapped moisture and mold growth.
- Kitchens, Bathrooms, and Laundry Rooms: Frequent sources of indoor humidity due to cooking, bathing, and washing clothes.
- Crawl Spaces: Improper grading or lack of vapor barriers lets ground moisture seep indoors. Inspectors recommend appropriate sealing].
- HVAC Systems: A well-maintained HVAC and proper ductwork are critical for keeping humidity in check.
How to Prepare Your Home
As certified inspectors, we recommend a proactive approach to controlling summer humidity:
- Monitor Humidity: Aim for 30%–50% indoor humidity. Use smart sensors or hygrometers to keep tabs.
- Ventilate: Run exhaust fans in bathrooms, laundry, and kitchens. Open windows when weather permits, and ensure vents (such as from clothes dryers) exhaust outdoors.
- Seal Leaks: Regularly inspect for and repair any leaks in your roof, exterior walls, plumbing, and around windows and doors to prevent moisture intrusion.
- Dehumidifiers: In damp areas, especially basements and bathrooms, use dehumidifiers to draw excess moisture from the air.
- Insulate & Vapor Barriers: Ensure crawl spaces have vapor barriers and that exterior walls and attics are well insulated.
- Maintain HVAC: An appropriately sized, regularly serviced HVAC system not only cools but also removes excess humidity.
- Don’t Dry Clothes Indoors: Hanging wet laundry inside adds moisture to the air, increasing the risk of mold.
- Mind Houseplants: Too many plants can increase humidity—space them out or move some outdoors in summer.
Expert Recommendation
Scheduling a Mold Inspection with Certified Home Inspection before or during humid months to identify and address “invisible” moisture issues—saving you money and protecting your health in the long run. A professional can spot hidden leaks, assess ventilation, recommend remediation, and ensure all systems are working together to keep your home dry and comfortable. In addition, Certified utilizes Infrared Thermal Imaging to allow our inspectors to locate high moisture areas and Mold that cant bve seen by the human eye!
Don’t let high humidity become a silent threat. With routine maintenance and vigilant inspection, your home will stay safe, sound, and healthy—no matter the season.