Excessive humidity due to lack of ventilation is very uncomfortable, especially in kitchens and bathrooms prone to humidity where daily activities mean increased humidity is part of the deal. In addition to causing discomfort for the whole family, high humidity levels also cause considerable damage to the home and are the primary cause of damp, mold and mildew growth, as well as peeling paint or unpleasant wallpaper and unpleasant odors of mold.
While some humidity is only natural, excessive humidity should be dealt with immediately, especially during the summer months as warm air holds more moisture than the cold air we are exposed to during the cooler seasons. But what can every home do to ensure that their humidity levels do not rise above the recommended 35 to 45%?
Be careful when cooking
The majority of excess moisture is produced during cooking in kitchens so make sure you use every kitchen gadget at hand to reduce the stuffy side effects of home humidity. The extractor fan on your oven or cooker is your best friend when it comes to reducing humidity levels in the kitchen. Always remember to turn on the fan while cooking, especially when using the hob to boil water and food products, this will ensure that any excess steam created during the cooking process is drawn into the extractor and is transported abroad.
The extractor fan will work to balance the overall temperature in the kitchen and prevent it from getting so high that you need to turn on your air conditioning unit to cool the place, which in turn increases the bill of your light. If you don’t have an extractor fan, simply open your windows and doors to let the humid air out.
Check your windows and doors
Maintaining a low humidity kitchen isn’t just about letting moist air escape while cooking, you also need to pay attention to the moist air coming into your home from outside, especially during the hot summer months . Be sure to check the condition of your windows and doors, the seals that keep your windows and doors airtight and moisture-free can deteriorate over time and let any moisture from the outside in. Also look for gaps in the exterior brickwork and interior walls (especially around Plug sockets and vents), seal any holes that may be causing damp air leaks into your home.
Turn up the heat!
Excessive moisture is more likely to collect on surfaces in the kitchen if they are cool, so make sure your kitchen is at room temperature or above to combat surface runoff and build-up. ‘ humidity. Any excess moisture that has collected on surfaces (especially on walls and ceilings painted with wallpaper or unprotected) can cause a lot of damage, so avoid calling the decorator with this simple trick!
Invest in a dehumidifier
Dehumidifiers are a great investment for kitchens that are prone to humidity. These handy devices are designed to keep moisture at bay and most models are compressor driven, drawing air into a series of cool and hot coils to remove moisture. and release dry air. Dehumidifiers can be used to address humidity in any room in the home to provide a happier, healthier and more pleasant place to live and work. Dehumidifiers used in both residential and commercial environments have also been proven to prevent mold growth, moisture build-up and deter insects (ie centipedes, silverfish, roaches and spiders) that love the area. damp
A dehumidifier is a great gadget to have in your kitchen and there are many models on the market to cater for the humidity levels you experience in your kitchen to keep you covered all year round!
As well as spending his spare time sharing ventilation and other home improvement advice, Martin Davies works for https://www.airandwatercentre.com/, the UK’s leading supplier of which improve air and water quality.
