Keeping Moisture at Bay: The Anti-Aging Secret for Houses

The single biggest cause of damage to homes is moisture. In this blog, leading gutter cap company Gutter Helmet® of Eastern NY shares insight on the importance of moisture control in and around the home.

 

Why Do You Need to Control Moisture?

Your home needs to be a controlled environment. In addition to maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature, moisture levels need to be controlled to protect the house from the following:

1. Uncomfortable Indoor Spaces — High relative indoor humidity makes indoor spaces feel clammy. Beds and furniture will have damp feel to them that can feel uncomfortable. Moisture damage to wall and attic insulation can create hot and cold spots.

2. Low Indoor Air Quality — Moist, indoor air encourages mold growth, which can trigger asthma, allergies and other respiratory problems. Bacteria may also grow on moist surfaces and cause foul odors.

3. Damage to Structural Components — Roof leaks can lead to damaged roof support structures, while overflowing gutters can allow water to pool around the home’s foundation. The latter can lead to damage to the basement, or, worse, the house settling unevenly. Concrete slab foundations can absorb too much moisture from the soil and become brittle.

How to Control Moisture in and Around Your Home

Controlling indoor moisture shouldn’t cost a fortune. Investing in preventive improvements such as gutter filter systems can also help reduce the work needed to keep unwanted moisture at bay. 

The following are some of the areas you should pay attention to:

1. Gutters — Look out for leaks and areas where water would be overflowing. Gutters should be cleaned and repaired as needed.

2. Downspouts — Water from downspouts should flow straight into the drains. Downspout diverters and other solutions are available if the runoff isn’t going where it should.

3. House Foundation — Pooling water is a bad sign. While it doesn’t cause damage immediately, you need to make sure it’s not a recurring problem. Address the cause (leaking or overflowing gutters, incorrectly routed downspouts) as soon as possible, then have your home inspected by a foundation repair professional.

4. Roof and Attic — After a storm hits your area, look out for signs of moisture intrusion, such as water stains and clumping insulation. Have a roofing professional perform repairs as soon as the weather is clear.

Gutter Helmet of Eastern NY is your leading provider of aluminum gutters and gutter protection systems. Give us a call at (866) 252-9400 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.