Now it’s Winter and the energy crisis is still there unfortunately, people will turn their heating lower and keep their windows shut. Another climate in the house will occur. Too much moisture in the house is harmful to your home and health. Here you will find tips to prevent damp problems in your home.
Less heating and ventilation? Watch out for mold.
Due to the high energy prices, the heating in many households is reduced by a few degrees and the windows and ventilation grilles remain closed as much as possible. Due to insufficient ventilation in combination with a low temperature, mold can develop.
Ventilation prevents this problem. Open the ventilation grilles and windows preferably every day so that the air in the house is refreshed. In addition, heat your house to at least 18 degrees Celsius and do not let the temperature drop below 15 degrees Celsius at night to prevent damp spots.
What can you do against moisture?
- Ventilate and air well, especially when you have clothes drying in your room or on your floor. Read more about ventilation (use your translation app!)
- Ventilate extra if there are (or have been) many people in the house.
- Reduce moisture production in your home. For example, hang the laundry outside.
- In winter, do not set the room thermostat below 15 degrees.
- After showering, dry the bathroom with a squeegee or cloth.
- Turn on the extractor hood while cooking.
- Never turn off a mechanical ventilation system completely. Set it to the highest position during showering and half an hour afterwards. Also do this while cooking.
How do you recognize a moisture problem?
- A musty and musty smell
- The laundry in the house dries less quickly
- Peeling wallpaper or stucco
- Moisture and mold spots
- Algae on wall
- Condensation on windows and other colder surfaces
- Higher energy consumption
- Silverfish and/or woodlice
What are the causes of moisture?
Many damp problems are caused by insufficient ventilation: an average family produces about 10 liters of damp during daily activities. In addition, the following structural problems can play a role:
- Rising damp usually enters the house through foundations, crawl spaces and (cavity) walls. The moisture pulls up through the walls and the cavity. The damp spots are especially visible above the plinth. Wooden constructions under the floor can be affected by fungi. Rising damp is caused by a combination of a high water level and the suction effect of the ascending (vertical) masonry.
- Cold bridges: Warm air near a cold wall or floor cools down and has to lose its moisture. Droplets then form on the cold surface. This happens in places in the house where there is a direct connection between the cold from outside and the inside of the house. Think of metal frames, concrete supporting structures or pollution in the cavity wall. These places are called thermal bridges.
- Condensation is caused by human activities in the home such as showering or washing. This need not be a problem as long as it is well ventilated. When there are no good ventilation options, the moist air precipitates as condensation on surfaces such as windows, (steel or aluminum) frames, walls or cellars.
- Leakage: You can quickly see moisture in the house due to leakage. The causes are less visible. Leakage is often a result of a construction error or aging of the house. Think of leaking water pipes or drains. Bathrooms with poor sealant joints can also be the source of leaks in the home. Do you need immediate help from a professional with the leak? Arrange it easily and quickly via our Emergency Job Service. Leak detection can also be carried out via the Emergency Job Service.
Natural ventilation
It is important to ventilate well for a healthy climate in the house. Natural ventilation uses the natural flow of air without the use of a fan (mechanical). What exactly is that and what are the points of attention for natural ventilation?
With natural ventilation, the supply of fresh air and the discharge of polluted air runs through (valve) windows and grilles. Polluted air can also go outside through a pipe with an outlet on the roof, through an extractor hood in the kitchen or fans in the bathroom or toilet.
Why natural ventilation?
Natural ventilation is especially common in older homes. Ventilation is essential for a healthy indoor climate. For healthy air in your home, you need to ventilate 24 hours a day. In the event of a lack of ventilation, the humidity increases and an ideal living environment is created for mold and house dust mites. Poor air quality can cause headaches, respiratory diseases, allergies and shortness of breath, among other things. Natural ventilation often provides insufficient air exchange 24 hours a day. That is why standard mechanical ventilation systems were used from the 1980s.
Points of attention for natural ventilation
- Ensure a constant flow of air in all rooms, for example through gaps under doors.
- Open vents as much as possible.
- Clean the grids regularly.
- If you do not ventilate properly, the humidity in the house will rise. The ideal relative humidity is between 40 and 55%. You can measure this with a hygrometer
