Household moisture myths abound, no matter what climate you may live in. Excess moisture may be an acute problem that results from obvious short-term events—or it may be an ongoing, chronic condition. No matter the cause, moisture spawns an array of damaging consequences inside a home. Dealing with it effectively means recognizing longstanding moisture myths, and taking steps based on facts instead. Here are four common misconceptions that just won't go away:
Myth: Household water intrusion is usually a dramatic, acute event like flooding.
Fact: Significant moisture problems result from an accumulation of often insignificant sources: small, nagging plumbing leaks that go unaddressed, ongoing condensation that originates in the home's HVAC system, external issues like landscape grading that directs rainwater toward the home, etc.
Myth: Moisture problems are always conspicuous and readily apparent to homeowners.
Fact: Actually, residents of a moisture-damaged home may be totally unaware of the developing problem. Longstanding moisture problems often go unnoticed because they tend to occur in areas of the house that are seldom visited or even glimpsed by occupants of the home. These include the crawl space, attic and interior wall voids.
Myth: Once the water is removed, the moisture problem is over.
Fact: The after-effects of severe moisture may not become apparent until much later. The growth of toxic mold, deterioration of wooden structural components and effects on electrical wiring and other components tend to be a delayed consequence of excess household moisture. These typically require professional treatment by a water damage specialist.
Myth: Residential building codes include many requirements that help protect against moisture problems.
Fact: Building codes typically only advise the installation of vapor barriers and ventilation of the attic as adequate moisture control. Intrusion of moisture due to rain leaks, rising ground water, basement seepage and other common sources are not addressed by most codes and may present far more troublesome moisture damage issues.
For professional help in separating moisture myths from reality, contact Rytech, Inc.
