The summer months in Illinois bring a lot heat and humidity, which, if not controlled, can damage your home and your health. If you’re a homeowner in the Rockford, Illinois, area, make sure you’re taking the right steps to control humidity and moisture inside your home.
THE DANGERS OF UNCONTROLLED MOISTURE
Water can be one of your home’s worst enemies — even in the small amounts that are carried in humid air. Uncontrolled moisture can lead to home damage and even affect your health.
STRUCTURAL DAMAGE
When air is allowed to leak into your house through unsealed vents, gaps, and cracks, it brings outside moisture with it. This results in condensation on ductwork, moisture buildup on insulation, and even mold growth. When left unchecked, excess moisture will rot the structure of your home.
HEALTH ISSUES
Mold releases spores that can easily travel into your living areas, harming your indoor air quality and your health. Mold is hazardous to human health, exacerbating existing breathing conditions, like asthma, and irritating the eyes, nose, throat, and skin. People with weakened immune systems are particularly affected by mold.
UNPLEASANT ODORS
Mold and mildew cause unpleasant odors and will destroy any belongings you have stored in damp areas of your home. Unless the mold is removed, the odors will persist and eventually be noticeable in your living areas.
STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO AVOID MOISTURE PROBLEMS
Taking the appropriate steps will ensure moisture is no longer a problem for home or health.
Weatherization
Weatherization is a broad term for the many steps you can take to ensure your home’s building envelope is protecting you and your living spaces from the conditions outside, including unwanted moisture. Weatherization, such as insulation upgrades, air sealing, and window upgrades, will better protect your home against moisture, improve your indoor air quality, increase the overall comfort of your home, and reduce your energy bills.
Ventilation
Proper ventilation will further ensure the humidity levels in your home stay at constant, optimum levels for building safety and your health. From whole-house filtration systems to exhaust fans, there are many ways to keep fresh air circulating throughout your home and prevent the buildup of toxic pollutants that can interfere with healthy indoor air quality.
Air Sealing
Air sealing keeps moist air from moving freely into your home during the hot summer months. With insulation, it also keeps your warm air from escaping all winter. Air sealing makes for a more comfortable home, will prolong the life of your HVAC system, and significantly reduces your home energy costs.
We look at your whole house as a system, taking into account everything from siding and windows to insulation, air sealing and ventilation, that can affect your home’s energy efficiency. Our home energy experts are qualified to suggest the best solutions for your home and lifestyle.
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