Extreme Humidity Levels and How They Can Affect Your Home

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Feeling the heat in New England this summer? If you’ve been struggling with the humidity this summer, you aren’t the only one. In early July, the Globe reported that, “New England is on pace for one of the most humid summers on record […] As climate change continues to warm the atmosphere,” Ken Mahan, a staff writer at the paper wrote, “the air can now simply hold more moisture, and we’re feeling the impacts — more tropical and uncomfortable days, more frequent storms, and an increasing vulnerability to more extreme events […] We should get used to this because summers are becoming hotter and wetter for longer, with more rain and snow likely in the winter.”

The truth of the matter is this: if you’re feeling bogged down by the NE humidity levels, you’re home is likely experiencing similar stress. At Safer Homes Environmental, we’ve created a guide on how this summer’s extreme humidity affects your home, and how you can protect yourself from the muggier days ahead. 

What Extreme Levels of Humidity Can Do to Your New England Home

Though each component of your home is built and designed to withstand any weather condition, from harsh rainstorms and hot summer days to frigid temperatures and ice-cold snow, humidity can still degrade the health of your home over time. It can:

  • Lead to excessive mold & mildew growth
  • Damage your home’s wallpaper
  • Damage your home’s wood floors
  • Cause moisture to settle into your home’s foundation, which can cause swelling.
  • Reduce your home’s air quality.
  • Make your home feel “damp” and uncomfortable.

Overall, excessively humid temperatures can have a drastic impact on your property and quality of life, creating problems that can be costly and time-consuming to fix.

How to Take Action Against Extreme Levels of Humidity

Unfortunately, there’s no way for you to control the outdoor temperatures, but there are a few ways you can reduce humidity levels in your home to protect your property and your health. Consider:

  • Using a dehumidifier.
  • Keeping your windows closed! You can use fans or your HVAC system to increase airflow.
  • Turning on fans before and after cooking and showering to decrease humidity levels.
  • Checking your home’s insulation to see if it’s in good shape. Poor insulation can lead to structural damage, which can increase humidity levels in your home.

Recovering From This Summer’s Humidity? Contact Safer Homes Environmental for a Relative Humidity Testing Service Today!

Since 2021, Safer Homes Environmental has provided hazardous testing services to homes in New Hampshire & Massachusetts. To learn more about our relative humidity testing services today, contact us on our website or call us at (603) 854-2264.