As a family that has had to do some extensive home repair we really understand where this preventive maintenance comes from. If we knew then what we know now… you get the picture. Check out these heat and humidity hiding locations:
Bathrooms:
Bathrooms can pose a year-round heat and humidity threat with frequent hot showers and baths. “Moisture and humidity builds from the inside because of showers,” Thorpe said. “And you also have the transfer of heat and humidity built up in the attic.”
To combat this, make sure bathrooms with a shower or bath are vented outside the house and that the vent isn't bringing outside air into the home. This kind of duct work can be faulty if not properly installed.
Plumbing:
“Where plumbing is, wherever plumbing may exit the house, a lot of times the application of a sealant around the pipes might not have been done well or over the years people are not looking around their house and making sure the caulking or foam applied is inadequate,” Thorpe said. “People tend to forget about that. There’s another transfer of outside air going inside and vice versa.”
By just taking the time to have a plumber evaluate the caulking, or touching it up yourself over the years, can prevent damage.
Crawl Space:
(For Thorpe) the number one space susceptible to damage from heat and humidity, look under the house at the crawl space. “There is stagnant air that seems to be trapped and doesn’t move [in the crawl space],” Thorpe said. “The humidity builds up and it starts to create issues with mold, mildew, and things of that nature.”
The newest, and most foolproof, way to protect your crawl space from humidity damage is by encapsulating it. Encapsulation goes beyond insulation and foundation vents — it is a complete covering of the foundation and ground beneath it.
“[Encapsulation uses] either a spray foam or rigid installation. Then there is a heavy plastic that gets laid down on the ground to prevent moisture from coming up from the ground. And this plastic goes up the foundation walls,” Thorpe said. “It really blocks any kind of moisture that typically would transfer from the outside to the inside.It allows a better controlled environment under the house”
Well, preppers and homesteaders, you have been called out. You will want to check all three of the above mentioned and also go over to The Weather Channel to do further research into when to find mold and mildew and humidity damage.
Honestly, it’s one of those things you do not have to worry about – you think – until something goes wrong. But something always goes wrong. Therefore, pay attention, and get it repaired or prevent something from happening. Before you know it, while others are lamenting their heat and humidity damage, you will be sitting back confident with an “I knew that.” attitude about you.