In the northwest, we recognize the many benefits of our wet weather, like the lush landscape, clean hydro power and healthy natural habitat for wildlife. But there are downsides as well, like mold and unpleasant mildew. The months of rain from November to June are not just hard on our Vitamin D levels, they can be hard on our homes. The dampness inside and out can affect the health of your home and family, but there are ways to help limit moisture and keep mold and mildew at bay.
“Rain and moisture can be the worst enemies of a home,” said DuWayne Dunham, energy services supervisor and energy counselor for Clark Public Utilities. “Our wet weather means home owners must be vigilant about stopping mold before it starts.”
Rain is only one way moisture can sneak into a home, where it enters through roof leaks, dribbles in through cracked or split siding, or seeps in through gaps around windows and doors. Often leaking roofs are obvious and call for immediate repair. Seepage through outside walls is harder to spot until the damage shows. This makes summer the ideal time to inspect your siding and caulk any splits or holes.
Just living in your home, you create moisture. Cooking produces steam and moisture and so does showering, watering plants, laundry, fish tanks and simply breathing. Most of the water–more than 99 percent–poured onto houseplants evaporates into the air. It all goes straight into your living space adding about a large amount of moisture inside your home. Exhaust fans and dehumidifiers can help take this extra moisture out of the air.
“One of the easiest ways to remove moisture is to use exhaust fans. In the bathroom, it is important to leave the exhaust fans on for about an hour after you’ve showered. There are fans with timers to assist in leaving the fan on, or existing fans can be fitted with timers,” said Dunham.
Not only do exhaust fans need to move the right volume of air, they must vent the air outside where the moisture can escape. During home energy reviews, Dunham said he’s found exhaust fans that simply blew air into an open attic, crawlspace, or inside a wall instead of outside. This is bad news for a home. “The moisture held in the air settles there and, in time, provides a damp breeding place for mold to grow or even cause dry rot,” he explained.
Homes need good ventilation to prevent mold and mildew. “Simple things like changing your furnace filters regularly and buying ones that filter smaller particles can improve home health by reducing moisture, mold spores, pet hair and dust in a home,” Dunham said.
You can check whether your exhaust fan moves enough air with a simple test. Hold a sheet of toilet paper a several inches below the fan – usually on the ceiling of the bathroom or above the stove. If the fan pulls the paper up, it works ok. If not, you need a replacement. Big box and hardware stores have a variety of models that come in different sizes and that work at varying volumes – make sure to buy one that can handle venting the cubic feet of the area where it will be installed.
Moisture can attack your home from underneath too. It’s smart to occasionally check your crawlspace for water to make sure there’s proper drainage around your home. The foundation vents are there to help reduce moisture build up under your home. Make sure there are no obstructions that would keep the vents from doing their job.
The rainy weather is part of makes the Pacific Northwest such a beautiful place to live. But taking steps to eliminate mold and mildew during the dry season helps keep homes safe and comfortable year round.
Energy Adviser is written by Clark Public Utilities. Send questions to ecod@clarkpud.com or to Energy Adviser, c/o Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA 98668.
