Moisture & Humidity Control

Moisture & Humidity Control

While certain events are unavoidable (storms, excessive rainfall, etc.), there is much you can do on a regular basis to ensure moisture levels in your home are properly maintained. While we often do not think of it in these terms, water flows throughout your home, so it is always a good idea to pay attention to certain areas of the your home while looking for possible signs of trouble.

• Anywhere you have a sink, inspect under the sink for any leaks or possible discoloration caused by water.
• In places where there are water lines (refrigerator's ice maker, sinks, bathtub, toilet, ensure the water connections are secure and not leaking.
• In areas like the shower or bathtub, inspect caulking to ensure a tight seal that prevents water from leaking in, around or under the walls and flooring.
• Additionally, if the caulk around these areas has blacks spots, that's mold. Replace the caulk immediately.
• The air conditioner has a condensate line that needs to be properly ported into existing drain lines.
• Check hot water tanks for rust or leaks.
• Lastly, look for any possible leaks. Leaks, no matter what causes them, never fix themselves. You can check for possible hidden leaks by turning off all water using appliances. After an hour, check your water meter then examine it again to see if it has changed. With all appliances off, a change in this reading could indicate a water leak.

Humidity levels in your home can be actively monitored via a hygrometer. To detect elevated levels of moisture or humidity in your home, we offer a few models that range from the Mold Alert, which is larger hygrometer that has a built-in alarm, to a Mini Hygrometer that is basic and compact. A traditional best seller has been the Acu-Rite Hygrometer since it can display indoor and outdoor temperatures as well as indoor relative humidity. Regardless of which model you select, each offers accurate humidity readings for any part of your home.

Controlling Moisture Year Round - Use a Dehumidifier

1. Coverage Required
   • Cubic Footage is the best measurement (LxWxH of a room), but square footage will also give you a good starting point.
   • You would prefer to error in favor of a unit that is just a little larger than what you need rather than a little too small. You can start to calculate this by knowing the dehumidifier's CFM (cubic feet per minute - of air moved through the machine) and it's water removal capacity, ppd (pints per day).
2. Drainage
   • Does the dehumidifier have a reservoir tank that will have to be manually emptied? For more severe humidity problems, this can be a hassle to empty multiple times per day.
   • Alternatively, will you port the unit for a direct drain approach? This can eliminate the need to manually empty the tank, but can be overkill for a room with a mild to moderate seasonal humidity problem.
     • If using direct drain, does the unit come standard with a condensate pump?
3. Price
   • Additional features, water removal capacity and brand name can make a big difference in price.
   • This can vary dramatically, but it is always important to remember, you get what you pay for.
4. Additional Features
   • Internal Humidistat, Built-in Condensate Pump, Auto Restart, Auto Defrost (de-icer), and portability are common features that customers may require.

Top Three Dehumidifiers