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Try
one of these tips to control your home's moisture
VENTS
Attic vents control moisture and
prevent damage to insulation and wood structures. As a
rule, there should be one square foot of vent area
(net) for every 150 feet of ceiling unless: (1) a
vapor barrier is used; or if (2) one half of the
venting is provided in the upper portion of the roof
and the other half is provided by eave vents. In those
two cases, the venting ratio can be one square foot of
venting (net) per 300 square feet of ceiling.
Any home with a crawl space needs
foundation vents to prevent moisture damage. When no
moisture barrier (a ground cover) is installed, one
square foot of vent area (net) is required for each
150 square feet of crawl space. Four vents should be a
necessary minimum for most homes without a ground
cover.
GROUND COVERS
With a correctly installed ground
cover, one square foot of venting area (net) should be
provided for every 1,500 square feet of crawl space.
Two vents are, however, a necessary minimum for homes
with a ground cover.
Both attic
and foundation vents should remain open year round.
This is necessary to maintain proper airflow and
moisture control.
A ground
cover of six-mil plastic or 55-pound roofing material
will greatly reduce the moisture that can seep through
the door. .
STORM WINDOWS
The installation of storm windows
can eliminate condensation on windows, which will
prevent mold and mildew from forming. This double
protection will also save homeowners money on heating
and air conditioning bills by slowing energy loss
through glass.
VAPOR BARRIERS
Vapor barriers, when properly
installed, permit the construction of tightly
insulated homes without having moisture form on the
walls. Vapor barriers are always installed on the warm
(room) side of the insulation. Vapor barriers
installed in the cold side of the insulation will
allow warm, moist air from the home to soak the
insulation. When this happens, timber can rot and the
effectiveness of insulation can be destroyed.
EXCESS MOISTURE
CONTROL
Ventilating fans are best for
removing moisture from the kitchen and bath areas. Any
type fan used should be vented outside to prevent the
build-up of warm moist air in the attic or crawl
space.
TOO LITTLE MOISTURE
Humidifiers, either permanent or
portable, are a good solution to the problem of low
relative humidity. After checking to see that a
humidifier is certified by the Association of Home
Appliance Manufacturers, be sure it has a humidistat
before making a purchase. The humidistat will regulate
moisture output.
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