Hazards of Excess Moisture

Aug 1, 2022 | Humidity and Moisture

No structure or human is immune to the negative effects of high humidity and the hazards of excess moisture.  Your home & contents, commercial structures, mechanical & manufacturing processes, archives & storage as well as your health suffer from the hazards of excess moisture created in highly humid environments. New structures are as vulnerable as older structures.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, indoor relative humidity is at safe levels between 30%-50%. Mold cannot grow below 60% relative humidity.

In highly humid environments, air-conditioning alone cannot overcome the excess moisture created by high humidity. A/C is designed to cool a space to a set temperature, whereas dehumidification is designed to remove excess moisture.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the most effective way to eliminate excess moisture is dehumidification.

Hazards of excess moisture include:

  • Musty Odors
  • Mold / Mildew / Fungi
  • Bacterial Growth
  • Condensation on Windows, Glass Doors and Vents
  • Blistering Paint and Peeling Wallpaper
  • Cupping Wood Floors
  • Termites, Dust Mites and Other Moisture-Peeking Pests
  • Corrosion
  • Oxidation
  • Condensation and Icing
  • Wood Rot
  • Material Clumping and Caking
  • Electrical Shorts
  • Equipment Failures
  • High Energy Costs
  • High Maintenance Costs
  • Allergy Symptoms – Watering Eyes, Sneezing, Congestion
  • Chronic Sinusitis
  • Respiratory Ailments
  • An Uncomfortable Cold, Clammy Feel
  • Poor Indoor Air Quality