Have you ever wondered why your walls are wet and full of moisture, especially in the winter?
You can blame the large difference in temperature between the air outside and the air inside, as this creates more condensation and moisture in the windows and walls.
Aside from this, flooding, pipe or roof leaks, and improper insulation can also cause a large amount of water to build up inside your walls, which encourages mold growth and drywall stains.
Structural wood may rot or drywall may swell, and if moisture gets into your insulation, it will not function properly.
As a result, your heating and cooling bills will increase.
A water damaged home poses significant risks to your health and damages the structure of your property.
Therefore, you need to act quickly before this moisture damages the structural integrity of your building, leads to dangerous mold and fungus, or causes life-threatening allergic reactions.
If you are buying a home, you should check carefully which areas might be unprepared to deal with rain and freezing temperatures.
The older the home, the greater the potential for a leak, even if there is no DPC and it doesn’t look or smell damp, there must be additional moisture.
How to prevent moisture in the walls
Preventing wet walls is not difficult if you know how to do it.
Start by identifying places where moisture is likely to accumulate, and follow these tips to keep these areas dry and clean:
The reason for the dampness of the walls inside the house
The science behind moisture in walls is easy to understand, and it happens when excess moisture comes in and can’t get out of your home.
As mentioned earlier, condensation, leaks, and insufficient drainage are some of the most common causes of moisture problems.
And it can be hard to know where to start when you want to remove moisture from your walls.
That’s why we’ve put together some effective ways to help you solve this common problem and prevent moisture build-up.
Ventilate your home properly
The most important thing you can do is to ventilate your home in order to keep it largely moisture-free.
Even simple human activities such as breathing, bathing, cooking, drying,
etc. can cause moisture buildup.
The truth is, all that water has to go somewhere, if you can’t get out of your house, it’s going to pool.
We don’t ask you to completely change your habits and lifestyle,
but you can of course vent your home to remove moisture, especially your kitchen and bathrooms.
Make sure these vents go straight to the outside, not into your attic,
where moisture will cause bigger problems.
Also keep in mind that the vent only works when you turn it on, there are many vents available in the market,
Some even come with timers or humidity sensors to run long enough to remove all excess moisture from the room.
Improve your insulation
A practical way to prevent excess moisture is by installing double-pane windows with two layers of glass.
This will greatly improve insulation and help reduce heat loss.
And if you get new double glazing, insist on the ventilation holes and keep them open.
These vents at the top of the windows give damp air a chance to escape,
and you can always close them at your convenience.
Exhaust fans installed
Install an exhaust fan in the bathroom and remember to turn it on when you take a steamy shower.
This should ensure dry air and prevent excess moisture from accumulating on the walls.
Also, if your bathroom has a tiled floor, consider keeping an eye open for the grout at all times.
Get a dehumidifier
A dehumidifier absorbs all the moisture in the room and prevents dampness and mold,
and if you have a portable device, you can move the device from one room to another (about 24-36 hours in each room).
The mini dehumidifier can fit in closets, caravans, sheds, window sills and lofts.
If using a humidifier for the winter months, make sure there are no closed rooms where the humidity is high.
Keep mold growth under control
Often, condensation, and thus mold, collects in certain parts of your home.
These can be behind large furniture, in the corners of a room, under a window, on the sill, or inside wardrobes.
Check for any mold and get rid of it by wiping it off with a damp cloth or using mildew spray.
Install wide windows
When you consider venting to remove moisture, you should also consider the alternative air source,
and how it will get into your home.
Keep your interior well-ventilated by installing large windows and doors,
leaving them open to let in enough light and air.
And don’t let your window treatment limit natural light—sunlight can keep indoor air at a healthy humidity level without increasing energy costs.
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