How to Eliminate Excess Moisture in Your Home

Despite today’s home being so well built and wellinsulated, homes are still bound to trap excess moisture and condensationinside.  While excess moisture can becaused by a dripping pipes, it is most likely that inadequate ventilation isthe biggest cause of excess moisture in a home. To help you find any moisture problems before they cause water damage,read up on some of these great tips.

Signs to Recognize

· The smell of mustyodors

· Any sign of rustystains around light fixtures

· The feeling ofdamp or sticky floors

· Signs of mildewalong the ceiling, wall and edges of baseboards

· Dripping pipes orwater lines from household appliances

· Sign of condensationon any windows and along any cold surfaces

· Any sign of mold andor mildew growth

Preventive Maintenance

· To avoidcondensation, air should always be kept circulating throughout the home withthe help of vents and fans.  Exhaust fansshould always be used when showering. The laundry area should also have an exhaust fan installed and usedwhenever the laundry is being done.  Thelaundry dryer should also be vented to the outside.

· Any and all leakyfaucets, dripping pipes, water hoses, running toilets, etc’ should be fixed assoon as possible.  Colder climates cancause water in drains to freeze, causing water to back up.  After the water backs up it can cause pipesto either burst or water to flow back up through the drains.

· Considerinvesting in a quality portable dehumidifier that offers humidity control.  Be sure to select one that shuts offautomatically when the collector pan becomes too full.

· Storm windowsshould be used to help conserve energy and to prevent condensation from formingon windows.  In addition, storm windowsalso help to reduce heat loss.

· It is importantto inspect the skirting around the base of a manufactured home to make surethat it is well ventilated, allowing air to circulate freely.  Ultimately this helps to eliminate anyunwanted moisture from being drawn into the sub-flooring.

Keep an eye on the inside

· Pay attention forsigns of any unusual hissing sounds. Hissing sounds can be the sign of a pinhole leak in a water line withinthe floor or wall.

· Make it a pointto occasionally check any hard-to-reach areas around the water heater, undersinks and behind the laundry washer.  Itis important that any and all water lines/hoses of household appliances beinspected too.

· Discolored floorcoverings or sub flooring is usually a sign of a leak.  Water stains and or wetness are most oftenthe cause of loose and or damaged plumbing fixtures or fittings.

· Any signs ofmoisture at the base of a toilet could indicate a deteriorated wax ring, whichcan be easily replaced.

· It is importantthat any signs of interior water damagebe repaired immediately.  If the repairis out of your hands, be sure to hire a qualified repairperson. 

Ifyou need any assistance at all preventing waterdamage, Able Restoration is your number one source for assistance with San Diego water damage, Riverside County water damage and Orange County water damage.  Able Restoration has years and years ofexperience in the water damage and mold remediation field.  Call them 24 hours a day and 7 days a week at1-800-696-6676 or visit theirwebsite today for more information!