humidity: Articles tagged with “humidity”

Q: What can I do about moisture building up on my windows?

Q: We are having condensation problems in our home. We have aluminum single pane windows, which sweat profusely in the winter. We are also seeing water spots on the ceilings and corners of the outside walls and on the inside of the front wooden door. The attic is vented and the soffits are clear. Can you help us?

Q: We moved into our newly constructed home 14 months ago. I have a huge problem with our double pane windows sweating all the way around the metal frames during the winter months (we live in Texas).

Also, the builder did not leave weep holes in the brick around the foundation.

Q: I bought my house a few months ago. Now with the weather getting colder and the heat running I have found that there is a lot of condensation on the storm windows. The house is a 30-year-old split level. Is there something I can do about the condensation problem short of getting new windows?

Q: I have a house that was built in 1992, and has Andersen windows. During the winter and now even in November, some of the windows get moisture in the center of them. Not all the windows have the problem, though. It happens in the living room, kitchen and in the basement, which is finished.

Q: We just purchased a house that is about 35-40 years old. There are 4x4 plastic tiles applied with a glue base in both bathrooms. The shower in the master has plastic tile that is in great shape, but we aren't sure if this should be sealed somehow. The inspector who looked at the house said that moisture would get behind the tile and ruin the drywall. Any suggestions?

Classic cathedral ceilings are beautiful and timeless. They give the home an open, airy feel but they are also more prone to moisture damage than a traditional ceiling. The design of a cathedral ceiling creates isolated air spaces which are more difficult to treat. For years there has been an ongoing debate among experts who feel that ventilation is necessary for cathedral ceilings. Some say it is required to help eliminate the moisture buildup, while others say a simpler method will suffice. The question many are asking is, "What is best?" The real answer, however, lies with only one question. "What is best for my home?" You, and only you, can make a well-informed decision about how to properly care for and protect your ceiling.

A strong foundation is necessary in tackling any construction project. Moisture that enters the home through the foundation walls and floor can lead to problems such as mold growth and can contribute to a variety of health problems for the homeowner.

Q: I installed a 3/4" tongue and groove Bruce hardwood floor in my dining and living rooms. I have been advised to do several different things to minimize moisture from the crawl space that could affect the floor, but am not sure which is right.

Q: I had a new gas heating system installed over three years ago. I have found a wet area in the foundation and it goes to the floor where there is a white powder-like substance. The cement on the floor is breaking down, it seems. Do I need a liner installed due to the evaporation of the gas heat, or is it due to the small crack I have outside at the base of the chimney?

Q: I recently bought a lower level condo and now have had to tear up the floor because there is water seeping up from the ground. I have recently learned this happened three times within the year before I bought the condo.

Any idea as to the source of this water and if it is possible to fix it permanently?

Q: We just bought our first home and we have noticed that the air is very dry, and there is static electricity build up, etc. The HVAC/AC system we have now is a dual system, one in the attic and one in the crawl space. Is there a whole house humidifier for this type of HVAC system?