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Humidity in an apartment is a common but very unpleasant problem that can significantly impair the quality of life and health of its inhabitants. Misted windows, musty air or unsightly mold on the walls are not just an aesthetic defect, but are warning signs that there is excessive humidity in the interior. This can be caused by various factors – from poor ventilation to inadequate building construction. In today’s article, we will look at why it is important to fight humidity in a timely manner, what its main causes are, and how you can effectively reduce its excessive level and prevent mold, which threatens not only your property but also the health of your entire family.
Humidity is directly linked to the emergence of other problems that are not limited only to the aesthetics of the apartment, but often also affect the health of its inhabitants. Humidity above the optimum value creates ideal conditions for the growth of mold, which releases spores harmful to the respiratory tract. These spores can cause coughing, runny nose, allergic reactions and, with prolonged exposure, more serious lung diseases. In addition, mold causes an unpleasant odor and damages building structures, furniture and textiles.
Another fact confirmed by studies is that the level of humidity has a direct effect on the reproduction of dust mites, which also negatively affect the quality of indoor air and can cause allergies. Humidity can also be the reason for condensation on walls, which in the long term causes plaster to fall off and metal elements to corrode in the interior.
From a household economy perspective, poor moisture management can mean high repair costs and replacement of damaged equipment. Since moisture can have a variety of sources – from simple lack of ventilation to technical deficiencies to poor insulation – it is urgent to identify these causes and address them adequately.
If you live in a new building, it may seem that the problem will not affect you, but even modern buildings are not always immune to moisture. It can penetrate through improperly designed insulation or be brought into the apartment by your daily activities such as cooking, showering or drying laundry. Therefore, it is important to pay close attention to moisture even in the 21st century and thus avoid unpleasant complications.
The ideal relative humidity in the interior should usually be between 45 and 55 percent. Measurements can be easily made using commonly available hygrometers, which will provide you with an immediate overview of the current state.
It is good to distinguish between absolute and relative humidity. Absolute humidity expresses the amount of water vapor in the air in grams per cubic meter, while relative humidity indicates the percentage of water vapor in the air relative to the maximum amount that the air can hold at a given temperature.
In practice, however, measuring relative humidity is sufficient for most domestic situations. Reducing humidity below the optimal level is also not ideal, as excessively dry air can cause irritation of the mucous membranes, dry skin and other discomforts. Conversely, humidity above 60 percent creates the perfect environment for mold and bacteria, and therefore this limit should not be exceeded.
The biggest challenge is the period from autumn to spring, when the cold and humid outside temperature contributes to the entry of moisture into the interior and at the same time to limited ventilation. During this period, for example, dewy windows or damp walls are no exception, which is why it is especially important to emphasize proper ventilation and other measures.
The emergence of excessive humidity in the interior always has several causes that often act together. The first and basic cause is insufficient ventilation. Many people unknowingly worsen the situation by ventilating minimally in the winter, which leads to the accumulation of moisture from breathing, cooking and showering.
Another factor is the condensation of moisture on cold walls, which occurs when there is a significant temperature difference between the outside and inside temperature. If you overheat your home (for example, significantly exceeding the recommended 21 °C in the winter months), the wall cools from the outside and water begins to settle on it in the form of condensate.
The bathroom is a very risky place in this regard, where high humidity is created not only during showering, but also due to insufficient ventilation. It is essential to have an efficient extraction system here, or to open the window after showering.
Cooking in the kitchen also contributes to air humidity, which is why it is necessary to use an efficient hood. Do not rely on a malfunctioning or greasy hood that does not exhaust air properly. It should be cleaned regularly to ensure optimal performance.
Drying laundry inside the apartment is one of the very common sources of moisture problems. If it is not possible to use a clothes dryer, it is recommended to dry the laundry with maximum possible ventilation or, ideally, outside in the fresh air.
Problems can also be caused by poor building insulation, window leaks, an inadequate roof or water leaking from the roof or underground sources. For older buildings, it is therefore always advisable to have the technical condition of the structures checked and not to postpone necessary repairs.
Ventilation is a basic and very effective prevention against damp and the development of mould. In summer, it is best to ventilate early in the morning or in the evening, when outside temperatures are lower, which helps prevent the interior from overheating.
In the winter months, it is important to ventilate briefly but intensively – for example, 5 to 10 minutes several times a day. This way, the air is exchanged quickly and the walls do not cool down significantly, thus reducing the risk of condensation. During ventilation, it is advisable to open the windows crosswise so that the air flows as efficiently as possible.
In spring and autumn, the ventilation time needs to be adapted to the current weather conditions. For example, in rainy weather, it is not advisable to ventilate for a long time to prevent additional moisture from entering the room. If you have problems with moisture, try a combination of regular ventilation and the use of various humidity control devices, such as hygrometers from brands such as Sencor or Philco, which will help you significantly.
In addition to proper ventilation, there are several other measures that will help keep the humidity in your home at an optimal level. For example, regular use of dehumidifiers is one of the most effective ways to quickly and permanently reduce excess moisture. Popular and reliable brands include ETA, Concept or Rohnson, which offer models suitable for different room sizes and with various performances.
These devices suck in moist air and collect the condensed water in a container that needs to be emptied regularly, or they connect it to the waste. In addition, modern dehumidifiers often have additional functions such as automatic shutdown when the set humidity is reached or air filters that contribute to better air quality in the room.
If you are looking for other ways to reduce humidity, we recommend limiting drying laundry indoors, or drying laundry in well-ventilated rooms. After showering or bathing, always let the exhaust ventilation run for a long enough time. A quality hood is essential when cooking, as is the placement of furniture – you should not place it too close to the walls, as this impairs air flow and promotes moisture.
Some homeowners also use special interior products, such as Ceresit-based products, which help remove mold and prevent its re-occurrence. Another interesting tool can be proven checks and maintenance of household appliances – for example, regular cleaning of the hood and dishwasher or removing deposits in the coffee maker, which can also reduce the amount of humidity and the occurrence of mold in the home.
Dehumidifiers are an excellent helper in the fight against humidity, especially where ventilation is limited or the humidity problem cannot be easily eliminated otherwise. They dehumidify the air by absorbing water vapor, thereby reducing the risk of mold. There are two basic types: absorption and condensation.
Absorption dehumidifiers also work at low temperatures, which is suitable for unheated cellars, for example, but their operation is more energy-intensive and often requires frequent maintenance. Condensation devices are more suitable for ordinary households. They suck in air, cool it, which causes water to condense, which is collected in a tank. This method is more efficient and energy-saving, which you will also appreciate in terms of long-term operation.
Choosing the right dehumidifier should be based on the size of the room, the performance of the device, the volume of the condensate collection container and other functions such as noise or automatic shutdown. The noise of the device should not exceed 40 dB, because higher noise could disturb, for example, when sleeping.
An air purifier can also be used in combination with a dehumidifier, which is an ideal step for removing mold spores from the air. Top models from brands such as Tescoma or Fairland can keep the air not only dry, but also clean, thereby significantly improving the home environment.
If the humidity in the apartment persists even after all these measures have been taken, it is necessary to have the building structures checked by a professional. Problems such as inadequate insulation, roof leaks, or rising water from the foundation require a comprehensive intervention, which may also include a modern building insulation system. Otherwise, dehumidifiers would only slightly mitigate the effects, but not eliminate the cause.
Léa Verdier je milovnice přírody a vášnivá zahradnice, která sdílí své objevy, ekologické tipy a inspiraci pro udržitelný život. Jejím cílem je ukázat, že péče o zahradu znamená i péči o sebe a o planetu.
