How to keep humidity lower?
Question:I am wanting to know how to keep the humidity down in basement without buying a dehumidifier? There is a bedroom, bathroom, living room downstairs, don't know if that makes any difference.
Answers:
install ordinary fans, by moving some amount of air they prevent humidity by spreading it everywhere , also there are special powders and granules wich you can scatter around the area.
Humidity can cause mold so should be properly controlled. I would suggest if the tips below don't work, you should probably get the dehumidifier.
If summertime humidity in your basement is 60% or higher:
Molds and mildew grow easily.
Moisture wicking through a concrete basement floor can be trapped in carpeting, resulting in much higher humidity levels than in the air, allowing mold growth at even lower air humidity.
To reduce humidity during the summer months:
Reduce any sources of moisture.
Close off the basement to moist, outside air.
Use a dehumidifier to bring the humidity down to 50% or less. An inexpensive humidity gauge from a hardware store can help you adjust your dehumidifier to the proper setting.
For severe humidity problems, consider buying a large-capacity, high-efficiency dehumidifier such as the "Santa Fe" from Therma-Stor.
Make sure gutters and downspouts carry water away from the foundation and soil is sloped away from the foundation.
Use vent fans during and after bathing and cooking.
Dry clothes outside or in a clothes dryer vented to the outside.
Do not dry clothes on an indoor clothesline.
Put plastic over bare soil in crawl spaces.
Moisture on windows in the winter is also from high relative humidity.
As the outside temperature goes down, the inside surface of your windows can get colder than the dew point of the air in your house.
When this happens, water condenses on the glass.
To reduce humidity during the winter months:
Make sure the relative humidity is below 40%. Very cold outdoor temperatures often require indoor humidity lower than 40% to prevent condensation.
Add another layer of glazing with plastic or a storm window.
If you have a humidifier, make sure it is turned off and not leaking water.
Increase airflow over windows by moving furniture away or using fans.
Reduce night temperature setbacks (although this will increase heating costs).
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