How to Find and Control Moisture

Moisture, or wetness, in your home or business can come from many sources. First, and often most obviously, water can enter your home by leaking in or by seeping through basement walls. Weak foundations or basements can allow water to seep in, especially after rains. Moisture can also come through the air. Showers or even cooking can add moisture to the air in a home or office. The amount of moisture that the air can hold depends on the temperature of the air. As the temperature goes down, the air is able to hold less moisture. This is why, in cold weather, moisture condenses on cold surfaces (for example, drops of water form on the inside of a window).

Moisture is never good for a house or office space. It can cause stains, warp wood, and lead to mold growth.

Are you unsure if moisture is in your home or office? Read our blog on how to spot moisture at home.

If you have found moisture issues or want to ensure they don’t happen in the future, follow these tips to control moisture in your home or office:

• Fix leaks and seeping. If water is entering the house from the outside, your options range from simple landscaping to extensive excavation and waterproofing.


• Put a moisture barrier over the dirt in crawlspaces to prevent moisture from coming in through the ground. Be sure the crawlspace is well ventilated.


• Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to move moisture to the outside (not into the attic). Vent your clothes dryer to the outside; dryers put approximately two gallons of moisture into the air when run.


• Turn off certain appliances (such as humidifiers or kerosene heaters) if you notice moisture on windows and other surfaces.


• Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners, especially in hot and humid climates like in South Carolina, to reduce moisture in the air, but be sure that the appliances themselves do not become a source of biological pollutants.


• Raise the temperature of cold surfaces where moisture condenses. Use insulation or storm windows. (A storm window installed on the inside works better than on installed on the outside.) Open doors between rooms to increase circulation. Circulation carries heat to cold surfaces. Increase air circulation by moving furniture away from wall corners. Be sure that your house or office has a source of fresh air and can remove excessive moisture from inside.


• Pay attention to carpet over concrete floors. Carpet can absorb moisture and is a place that mold can grow. In certain areas, it may be necessary to use a moisture barrier over the concrete floor and then cover the moisture barrier with subflooring to prevent a moisture problem.

 

Moisture problems and their solutions differ from one climate to another. The Northeast is cold and wet; Southeast is hot and dry; the South is hot and wet; and the Western Mountain states are cold and dry. All of these regions can have moisture issues and different ways to treat them. The type of construction and weatherization for different climates can lead to different problems and can have different solutions. So what works for a waterproofing company in Phoenix likely won’t work in Spartanburg.

Bottom line: Thompson Brothers Waterproofing, based in South Carolina and North Carolina, is knowledgeable and ready to assist you on tackling your moisture issues. We can help you locate the moisture, figure out the cause, and take the necessary steps to not only repair the damage, but ensure it won’t happen again.

We look forward to serving you.