Indications of excess moisture in the home
- Moisture meter indicates level above 50% relative humidity
- Musty smell
- Mold on surfaces (window sill, in closets, behind furniture)
- Condensation on windows, toilets and exposed pipes
- Water stains on window sills, ceilings, walls
- Moisture under plastic in basement
- Airtight construction allows odors to linger
- Damp bottoms on cardboard boxes sitting on the floor
Controlling sources of indoor moisture
Lifestyle of residents
- Limit number of occupants in living space
- Hang laundry outside to dry
- Dry wet shoes, coats and umbrellas before storing
- Keep home and clothes clean
- Cover aquariums
- Limit houseplants
- Keep pets and their food and water dishes clean and dry
Appliances
- Vent clothes dryer to the outside
- Empty refrigerator drip pan regularly
- Empty dehumidifier tank regularly
- Maintain air conditioner filter, coils, line
- Properly vent combustion heating appliances to the outside
- Store firewood outside
- Use humidifiers rarely
- Maintain moderate indoor temperatures during the heating season
Identify and repair leaks
- Plumbing, including pipes to refrigerator, water heater, faucets and drains under cupboards and laundry spigots
- Roof, including vents and skylights
- Windows, doors
- Foundation vents
Adequate air circulation throughout the home
- Keep furniture away from walls
- Open drapes or curtains
- Leave interior doors open
- Open heating/cooling vents
- Maintain heating, ventilating and air conditioning system
- Keep low wattage bulb on in closets or small enclosed areas
Eliminating potential sources of water infiltration
- Cover exposed soil in crawlspace with vapor barrier
- The concrete foundation has adequate exterior protection from water
- Drainage directs water away from or around the house
- No water pools near the foundation of the house
- Keep rain gutters free of debris and in good repair
- Downspouts carry water away from house
- Siding is sealed along bottom edges
- Don’t allow water from sprinklers to hit the house
- Trim back plants and shrubs to allow airflow around exterior of the home
- Maintain and keep exterior of house free from mold
Removing moisture from home
- Fans for spot ventilation
- Placed near moisture source in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry rooms
- Vented to the outside
- Check for effectiveness
- Leave on until all moisture is eliminated. (Install timers or controls with moisture meters built-in)
- Roof vents to allow ventilation in attic space
- Open vents in foundation to allow airflow
- Control condensation on cool surfaces inside the home including
- Single pane windows
- Uninsulated walls
- Unfinished basements
- Uninsulated or metal doors
- Install and regularly use a dehumidifier
- Carefully clean and dry any signs of mold
Share these tips by downloading the Stamp out Mold in your Home handout.
Want to learn more about this topic? Explore more resources from OSU Extension:
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