As we approach the spring many homes experience dampness from the excess water caused by a combination of greater rain fall and the melted snow. When dampness is present in your home it can cause a musty undesirable smell.

If dampness is not taken care of it also produces mold on hard surfaces, mildew on soft surfaces, and can lead to health issues. The best way to tackle any problems with dampness is to detect  it, deal with it, and avoid it in the future.

Identifying the dampness

The climate where we live is a predictor for dampness in our homes. The Ottawa valley has high humidity and increased rainfall during this time of  year. That coupled with the melting snow and ice often causes an influx of water from the outside coming in.

Even in ideal climates you can also experience dampness from increased humidity from showering, drying clothes, and cooking. It may not always be obvious where to locate the source of dampness issues. When water is entering your home from the outside, you may be able to determine where by looking for water stains on painted walls or white salt deposits (called efflorescence) that show up on brick.

Dealing with dampness

When your home is showing signs of dampness, it is important to deal these issues quickly so they don’t lead to increased damage or personal health issues. The first thing to do is locate the source of the problem. Look at the most common problems such as blocked eaves-troughs  missing shingles, objects stacked against exterior walls, leaking water pipes, or damage to your roof or foundation.

If you cannot find the source of the issue hire an expert to help. Depending on the complexity and severity of the problem, there may be some solutions you can take care of yourself (e.g. caulking around windows to keep moisture out, cleaning the gutters), whereas others may be better suited for a professional (e.g. fixing leaky water pipes or fixing foundation problems).

Avoiding dampness

Prevention is the key to keeping a damp free home. Here are some tips you can take to keep dampness away from your home:

• Keeping windows and doors closed during humid weather prevents moisture in the home.
• Use climate control devices such as an air conditioner and or a dehumidifier to keep humidity below 60%.
• Use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms to control humidity.
• Ensure all kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are clear and connected directly outdoors and not into the attic.
• When possible, consider limiting the boiling time of water, covering your saucepans when cooking.
• Position the downspout runoff of the eaves-troughs so they are directed away from the foundation of your home.
• Make sure the yard has proper slope which directs water away from the home and that the foundation has a proper drainage system in place.
• Increasing or improving the insulation of your home and around pipes.
• Make sure that the home has a proper vapor barrier present.
• Limit the amount of indoor plants you have in the home and store firewood outside or in the garage.