Forget about heat and humidity this summer

Here in South Florida, we know that we live in the most humid part of the US and our homes almost always feel that way too. Summer in Florida is a year round thing, with temperatures soaring over 90° and constant rain and tropical storms. However, aside from the heat and humidity, living in Florida can also cause many problems within your home and affect its structural integrity as well as your health. Most of the time humidity problems in your home go unseen, but you know these problems are getting serious if you begin to experience  humidity odors in and around your home: a musty smell that suggests damp staleness within your walls but comes from mold growth, mildew and other fungal issues. This is most likely due to moisture and bad ventilation. Solving these problems is easy;  you might just need to make sure your insulation is properly installed or get an insulation upgrade.

What exactly causes moisture in your home?

Even though humidity levels during the South Florida summer are easily over 80%, the outside air is not the only influencing factor when it comes to moisture problems in your home. Many everyday activities increase the humidity levels, especially if you have a smaller space:

• Breathing - not something we’re trying to limit, right? However, the air we release can be water-saturated up to 100% and the more people you have in a smaller space, the more humid it gets. Just think about the condensation on a car window on a long drive with your entire family.
• Heat- and water-related activities - many of us love a long, hot shower or we forgo turning on the extractor hood because we can’t hear the music or tv over it while we cook our pasta. While cooking and bathing are essential activities in our lives, there are small ways to help with humidity like shorter showers or using that extractor hood. 
• Pipe Leaks - When was the last time you had your pipes checked? The smallest corrosion or hole on a pipe can leave water dripping and cause moisture problems in that specific area of your home. 
• Houseplants - some of us like to have a little jungle inside and know how much joy plants can bring. Nevertheless, plants undergo evapotranspiration which means they are releasing water through their leaves. While this seems like a small amount that you can disregard, it can actually add up with all the factors in our already humid climate. 
• Damp Soil - the crawlspace of your home and the soil below it might be damp after the next thunderstorm and if it stays wet for a while, the moisture rises and can make the rooms above the crawl space humid.

What does humidity do to my home?

Mold & Mildew

Humidity, in combination with darkness like in your attic,closet or basement, is the perfect breeding ground for mold, mildew and other fungi. Mold can aggravate asthma, but even if you don’t suffer from any respiratory conditions, you’re likely to find yourself coughing, feeling congested or with headaches. In spaces with little ventilation, mold will develop that strong smell that we mentioned in the beginning and stink up your home. 

Air Pollutants 

Air pollutants like dust mites enjoy humid environments and can also put your lungs under duress. In general, it is harder to breathe in humid environments as the hot air narrows your airways. For people with asthma, humid air can worsen their condition. That’s why it’s important to keep the air in your home at a good humidity level and temperature to allow for easy breathing without any pollutants or spores. 

Higher Utility Bills

Humidity makes you feel uncomfortable in your home which may lead to you cranking up your air conditioning. This not only increases your monthly energy bills but also puts a strain on your air conditioning unit which means that it will have to be replaced sooner rather than later.  

Structural problems 

Moisture is the enemy to many materials and can cause rust and corrosion on metals, swells and warps on wood (which for example leads to doors not closing well), and mold, and water marks on your drywall.

How does insulation and air sealing help with moisture & humidity problems?

Insulation has many benefits that can help with a humid home. Depending on the type of insulation, an airtight barrier can be created either by the insulation itself or in the process of air sealing, an extra step before insulation that is extremely beneficial in our hot climate and very efficient in combating the humidity. Without an airtight barrier between your home and the outside world, warm humid air can enter your home through little cracks and crevices creating moisture problems. Air sealing will close those cracks and make sure that air-flow is limited. 

What is the best type of insulation against humidity?

Any type of insulation will somehow help with humidity problems. However, there are some types of insulation that do a better job.  Spray Foam Insulation is not only known for its great R-Value but, in its closed-cell version, also provides air sealing properties, meaning that it can be a 2-in-1 to keep both heat and humidity out of your attic. The open-cell version as well as other types of insulation work best in combination with air sealing to obtain a perfect barrier against the heat and humidity. 

In combination with air sealing, Fiberglass insulation is the optimal solution for the humid Florida weather. Fiberglass is made from spun glass and therefore does not absorb or hold water which means that it will not deteriorate from moisture exposure. Additionally, the glass-based material does not serve as food for mold  and therefore does not support mold growth.

Although there are many reasons why you should lower the humidity in your South Florida home, there aren't many viable solutions. One of the most effective ways of combating moisture problems and one we definitely recommend is to begin the process with an evaluation of your home to measure moisture and find out exactly where the problem is coming from - that way we can find a solution that will not only combat the problem and limit heat and humidity transfer but will allow sufficient airflow and make your home a cooler place. Contact our team of professionals at Koala Insulation of North Broward and Boca today to receive a complimentary evaluation - installing fresh new insulation will not only improve your home and your family’s health but will also considerably lower your energy bills and increase the comfort of your home.