Q&A Can High Humidity Cause Water Damage?

3/4/2022 (Permalink)

A homeowner exclaimed, “The air in my house feels heavy, and I can’t stand it.”  The homeowner wanted relief.  The conditions were unbearable, and went beyond the way it made him feel.  There was the smell or malodor of mustiness and the appearance of opaque, greyish dots on the walls and on clothing.  He wanted answers, and in addition to the cause, the answer to the question, can high humidity be the culprit?  More eloquently stated, “Can high humidity cause water damage?” 

The answer to this question requires an understanding of humidity and if it has any attributes that relate to water.  Humidity or Relative Humidity is the amount of vaporized water that is contained in the air.  Relative humidity had a direct correlation to temperature.  The high the temperature, the greater the percentage of water vapor the air is able to hold.  The lower the temperature the less moisture or water vapor the air can contain.  When air reaches its saturation point, which is 100% capacity of the amount of water vapor it can hold t that temperature, the vapor will turn from gaseous state into a liquid.  This is the principle that causes rain.  When there is too much humidity in a house or building, water damage can occur if not quickly remedied.

If the relative humidity inside a home or building exceeds 60% the conditions for mold growth are suitable.  Mold has the ability to grow 48-72 hours.  Additionally high humidity left unchecked can rust metal.  The excessive moisture in high humidity will be absorbed into fabrics and hygroscopic or water loving materials.  This can result is discoloration and mold growth on these materials.  High humidity can cause water damage and it is important to fix the cause quickly.  The first thing to do is to find the source and correct it.  Second start the process of dehumidification.  Third remediate any mold if present.   These three things are best accomplished by calling professionals to assess and correct the problems.  SERVPRO of Orange County is a valuable asset in helping commercial businesses and homeowners deal with water damage resulting from high humidity.  Contact us at (919)245-0788.