Damage to health from humidity: we must avoid it, agree? Every room has a certain humidity level: when it gets too high, it can be harmful to your health. Find out here what impact too high humidity has on your health.
When is there too much moisture in the home?
There is moisture in every room, this is normal. Moreover, a normal room usually has a humidity percentage between 40% and 60%. That is, about half of the air in an indoor space consists of particles of water vapor. When the humidity is normal, you don't notice this. It is only when the air feels dry or clammy that the humidity may not be right. And when the humidity is too low or too high, it causes damage to your health.
Causes of too much moisture in the home
Excessive humidity has several types of causes. Some common ones are:
- Condensation. Condensation moisture often occurs in the bathroom or kitchen, but other rooms can also suffer from it. In the bathroom, it is important to have a window or a ventilation system. In the kitchen, a vapor barrier is important.
- Permeable moisture. Because a wall was exposed to rainstorms over a long period of time, moisture can build up because the water cannot get away properly. The ideal solution to make exterior walls water repellent is using paint or hydrofuge that absorbs the water.
- Rising damp. Groundwater is absorbed by the foundation and walls, so the worst moisture is near the ground.
- A leak or clogged gutter. A clogged gutter or a leak can also cause moisture. After all, a large amount of water accumulates.
Of course, condensation is normal in the kitchen or bathroom. Ventilation is important here so that this moisture can escape. If you do not ventilate sufficiently, the humidity level will be too high, which can be harmful to your health.
Leakage and rising damp are not only harmful to your home, but also to your health. By the way, you can recognize moisture by, for example, mold on your walls. And let's face it, we're talking about mold. These aren't exactly healthy, are they?
What are the harmful effects of too high humidity?
The direct impact of mold moisture in the home on your health
Moisture problems and mold in the home can cause various types of physical health complaints, some typical complaints include:
- Respiratory discomfort.
- A dry throat.
- Headache
- Irritated eyes.
- Frequent coughing.
- Fatigue.
- Rheumatic complaints, including pain in the muscles and joints.
These are all kinds of direct effects of moisture in the home on your health. People with asthma in particular are more likely to suffer from excessive humidity, and people who suffer from rheumatism will also find that their symptoms get worse.
Indirect effects on your health: dust mites and pests
There are also indirect effects due to moisture in the home.
- For example, damp rooms are an ideal environment for the growth of dust mites. People who are allergic to these microscopic insects will subsequently exhibit allergic reactions. These include sneezing, coughing, respiratory problems, shortness of breath, eczema or chronic inflammation of the nasal mucosa. As a result, they are much more susceptible to colds, they become irritable more quickly and symptoms of fatigue also return.
- In addition, moisture and mold can also attract pests, including silverfish or woodlice. These insects are not immediately bad for your health, but it's best to avoid them in your home.
So it is clear that excessive humidity can have negative effects on your immune system. This is because it costs your body a lot of energy to fight off the symptoms mentioned above, weakening your body in general.
Safety first! Get the moisture problem taken care of as soon as possible.
The fact that excessive humidity is unhealthy is no longer going to be denied. To avoid these negative consequences, it is important that you take moisture problems seriously and take immediate action. Depending on what is causing the moisture problem, there is always a customized solution.
However, because it is not always easy to determine what is causing the moisture and mold, it is always advisable to hire a moisture expert. This person can determine with certainty what problem you are facing, and will also suggest the most appropriate method. This guarantees that the moisture problem will be solved once and for all.
Are you suffering from excessive humidity somewhere in Flanders? Contact Aquaconsult now and our experts will be happy to help you.
Aquaconsult has 20 years of experience in the field of rising or breaking moisture.
Purchasing your own home is always a dream come true. That dream can sometimes quickly become a nightmare if it turns out that there are moisture problems in the home such as rising damp or penetrating damp.
The value of your home drops and energy costs rise, but more importantly, moisture is bad for your health. At AquaConsult you can come to AquaConsult for advice with experience.
With AquaConsult you bring in 20 years of expertise in solving problems with: rising damp, rising damp, penetrating damp, condensation, mold, moisture stains, saltpetre, house fungus, dust mites, damp basements, ventilation and facades. Request a free moisture diagnosis here.
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