Everyday Activities Produce Moisture in the Home

  A little bit of condensation is normal in the fall, but if it persists, you could have a problem. 

       It’s easy to see why many houses contain too much moisture. Many activities in the home produce moisture that needs to be removed by ventilation. For example, each person produces about three pints of water per day while breathing. About one pint of moisture is introduced into a home during a 10-minute shower, and with teenagers in the house, this can be more. Additional moisture is added when towels are drying. 

       A house will produce six to 16 pints of moisture per day as materials in it dry during the fall. Moisture coming through a concrete basement floor and walls due to moist soil on the outside may create as much as 100 pints per day.

       So, what is the easiest way to remove the extra moisture from your home? Ventilation. When outside temperatures are cool, use ventilation such as running bathroom exhaust fans and opening windows. When outside temperatures are warm and humid, use a dehumidifier or air conditioning to reduce moisture in your home.