Moisture in the home

Can you actively influence how much moisture is created in the home

We cannot prevent some of the moisture that arises in the building. Sweating, showering, washing or other things inevitably create moisture, which is released into the indoor air sooner or later. Day and night. From every person and from many other sources in the building. This is quite normal and absolutely uncritical.

Some sources of moisture, however, are much more critical. They can and should be influenced: Plants (through watering) and pets, for example, also give off moisture. A small cat may not be too much of a problem. But the situation is different when aquariums release corresponding amounts of water into the room air. When drying laundry, large amounts of water also escape into the air. Extensive shower baths also release more water into the air than short ones. And if you even have a sauna in the house or your own swimming pool in the basement, you have to reckon with another increase in humidity.

The occupants of a house can regulate these additional sources of humidity with their behaviour, at least to a minimum. If a sauna, swimming pool or aquarium is in the house, however, further measures may have to be taken to get the resulting humidity out of the building. If, for example, the windows are opened for ventilation during or shortly after the "generation of moisture", the generated moisture loads can be aired out again very quickly.

Even when windows are closed and ventilation systems are switched off or non-existent, a certain exchange of air with the outside world takes place. Microscopic cracks and leaks in walls, the roof, window and door frames, etc. ensure a constant (low) exchange of air with the help of wind or thermals. This air exchange is generally sufficient to be able to remove moisture within normal limits.

A conscious lifestyle and sufficient knowledge about moisture sources and harmful amounts are very helpful to counteract damage. If there are already problems due to damp, mould or bacteria, one should be extra vigilant and careful. For example, fewer plants in the building means less water being released into the air. The same applies to taking shorter showers. When drying laundry, it is also advisable to do so in a designated laundry room, garden or tumble dryer. In some cases, this even has to be the case. The design of a ventilation system in the house, for example, does not provide for drying laundry in the living area. Aquariums, the whirlpool or your own sauna also lead to very high humidity loads in the air. As described, any entry of moisture, even cleaning (e.g. mopping) or cooking, clearly influences the water balance in the rooms. In case of problems, but also for prevention, water or moisture in the building should therefore be handled very consciously.