10 Signs That You Need a Dehumidifier
In the winter, in the UK, there are many tell-tale signs that there is too much moisture in the air which can lead to dampness. The signs are easy enough to spot when you know what to look for.
Sources of excess moisture:
- Washing clothes
- Cooking
- Showering and bathing
- Breathing
- Clothes drying
- Pot plants
- Portable gas heaters
- Poor ventilation
- A water leak
- Flooding
Let’s take a look at the 10 most common signs that you need a dehumidifier
1. Windows are foggy
This is a very easy one to spot. Your windows are wet – on the inside. This is a result of too much moisture in the air inside which then condenses when it comes into contact with a cold glass window. When you see this indicator it is a good idea to get a dehumidifier (these can be hired too, by the way) before further problems occur.
2. Mould is visible
Mould growth in homes and other buildings is an indicator of excess moisture. Mould is likely to occur if the relative humidity indoors is 70% or more for long periods of time. This is very unpleasant and mould can grow on lots of surfaces including wallpaper, furniture, and soft furnishings. It only becomes visible when large colonies form. Mould can cause many respiratory problems and is generally not good for health.
3. Feeling cold
A damp room in winter without any heating is going to feel chilly. You might need to turn the heating up to feel warm. However, a dehumidifier can lower the humidity and actually make the room feel warmer even without heat (saving you money).
4. Condensation on walls leading to wallpaper blistering
Decorated rooms which suffer from high humidity can lead to wallpaper blistering as the bond with the adhesive is loosened.
5. Musty smell
A musty smell in a room is almost certainly the result of mould or mildew growing.
6. Nothing dries
When you hang up washing to dry on a rack, the clothes take a long time to dry. This is due to the high humidity in the air.
7. Rotting wood
Condensation which gathers on a window frame can seep into the frame and cause it to rot. This can be solved by wiping up the wetness on your windows regularly. But it won’t solve the problem of too much moisture which will reoccur.
8. Pests
If you begin to see some little insects or pests around, it may be because the conditions are ideal for them including high moisture content. Silverfish, booklice, woodlice and centipedes all like damp areas.
9. Respiratory illnesses
If you or your family are sneezing and coughing, high humidity levels in the home could be to blame. As discussed above, mould, pests, dust mites are attracted to damp areas and these can then cause respiratory illnesses and exacerbate illnesses such as asthma.
10. Creaky doors or floors
When wood absorbs moisture from the air, it expands, which can loosen screws and joints in your wooden structures which means that they become loose and creaky.
If you spot any of these signs, you ought to do something about them. This could be:
- ventilating your home or office frequently,
- drying clothes on racks only in well-ventilated rooms,
- keeping the temperature in your property at least 18 degrees
- keeping the door closed in bathrooms and kitchens when bathing or cooking
- installing a vent in the bathroom or kitchen
- hiring or buying a dehumidifier
Ideally, you should find the source of the excess moisture and try and limit the amount that is being produced. The good news is that a dehumidifier can make a world of difference and can solve many of the issues above. Not only that, but dehumidifiers have a range of other uses too!