As a state, we can unanimously agree: Minnesota summer humidity is miserable. But humidity isn’t just bad news for your personal comfort when you’re grilling out on a hot July evening, it can also be bad news for your house. That is, if you don’t take measures to protect it.
Humidity is caused by the accumulation of water vapor in the air. If left unchecked, this water vapor can a cause a variety of different problems within your home. We’ve outlined some of the issues humidity can cause in your house—and how you can prevent them from becoming real problems.
Warped wood – Exposing wood to water is never a good idea, and water in the air is no different. The water particles in humid air can warp any wooden furniture, fixtures, or finishes in your home over time. Hardwood floors may begin to creak or bend, doors will stick shut, and tables can develop an annoying wobble.
Standing water – Humidity can cause condensation to form on walls and windows in your home. If this condensation is allowed to accumulate unchecked, it will eventually start to drip onto the floor and may even form a small puddle.
Mold – Warm, wet, and dark environments are a breeding ground for mold. If humidity levels are allowed to rise in your home, areas like basements, closets, and ductwork can become epicenters for mold growth. Duct work is especially dangerous, as spores from the mold can be transported throughout your home.
Rot – Worse than warping or mold, wood exposed to humidity for too long will eventually begin to rot from the inside out. Wood beams inside your walls, planks in your hardwood floors—any wood in your house is susceptible to rot if you don’t regulate humidity levels.
The good news is, managing humidity levels in your home is as simple as installing and running a quality air conditioning unit. Air conditioners serve a dual purpose of cooling your home and removing water vapor from the air to eliminate humidity. During especially humid periods of the summer, it would be wise to keep windows closed to further minimize the presence of humidity inside your house.
Is it time for you to upgrade your air conditioning unit? A Bonfe representative can inspect your home and offer expert advice on which unit would be the best fit for your home.
