High Humidity Is A Sneaky Driver Of Mold Growth: 10 Ways To Avoid It

Here's how to maintain proper humidity at home this season and beyond to make sure contaminants like mold don't bog down your warm-weather fun.

The ideal humidity level in a home should be between 35 and 50%. Ideal humidity should be maintained not only for comfort but also for safety.

Whole-home dehumidifiers can also ensure high humidity levels from the outdoors do not increase the humidity level inside, particularly during warm, humid spring and summer months.

Standing water can contribute to humidity inside, so avoid it as much as possible. As soon as a spill or some sort of watery situation pops up, dry it thoroughly as soon as possible.

Chances are you've left clothes in the washing machine for longer than you should, and when you opened the door, you were met with that potent musty odor. We want to avoid this situation because damp materials left to sit in the washing machine are not only prime areas for microbial growth, but they also add to the moisture content of the air. With that in mind, dry clothes immediately after washing. However, avoid hanging them up inside because that can increase indoor humidity.

The air conditioner not only keeps your home well ventilated (which helps reduce humidity), but it also helps actively remove moisture from the air. When warm air comes into contact with the cold evaporator coils, the temperature difference causes the moisture present in the air to condense into water droplets. It's similar to water droplets forming on the surface of a chilled glass. The condensed water collects in a tray or pan located beneath the coils. All of the cool, drier air will then be blown out into the living space.

Whether it's a small or large leak, this unfortunate scenario can create excessive moisture in a home. Not only can it lead to water damage, but it also increases the humidity as it evaporates into the air. Routinely check for any issues throughout the home during the summer months (and year-round). If any problems are found, address them immediately and properly.

This will help prevent the transfer of temperature and humidity between indoor and outdoor environments. During the summer months, chances are the humidity levels outdoors are much higher than in your home. Sealing doors helps prevent that moisture from making its way indoors. Sealing windows and doors also helps prevent moisture from weather-related events like rain from getting inside. Do your best to keep windows and doors closed when it's raining.

Improperly installed gutters or a lack of maintenance can allow for moisture intrusion into the home. The more moisture there is, the higher the indoor humidity will be. Keeping gutters clean and in good shape will help prevent this watery fiasco.

When there's too little or no insulation, it can create condensation problems in the walls since the material helps separate the wide ranges of hot and cold temperatures. Summertime is a great example: When it's hot outside, the A/C will be running, and the interior of the home will be cooler. However, condensation can begin to develop when the two differences in temperature meet. Top-notch insulation that is installed correctly will help act as a barrier to prevent this. It also helps maintain temperatures inside and prevent wide fluctuations in humidity.

Opening doors throughout the inside of your home and turning on fans can help prevent humidity from settling in one area. It also helps dry out any moisture-rich situations that develop.

Carpets can retain moisture, increasing the levels within your home. Reducing this material as much as possible will help keep humidity steady.

Keeping an eye on indoor humidity can go a long way in preventing things like mold growth and poor indoor air quality. Collectively, these 10 steps will help ensure that the moisture content in your air doesn't get high enough to allow for microbial growth, cause structural issues, or negatively affect your health.