Damp Proofing, how do we eliminate water vapor at home?

The excess of water vapor in the air is one of the evils our homes face. It not only alters temperatures and makes our houses much more uncomfortable, but it can also cause health problems for those living in unsanitary conditions due to this phenomenon. For this reason, there are several damp-proofing techniques to eliminate its effects, and it is even easy to find household products that claim to end this effect of the air. But are they really effective, and what is worth doing to eliminate moisture at home?

First of all, we need to understand how humidity originates and what it represents in our homes. In Spain, the most common issue is suffering from high humidity, especially in coastal areas. Therefore, it is easy to find damp-proofing solutions and treatments to protect our buildings. Nevertheless, the best methods for combating this problem usually involve improving the conditions of the home.

To know if we have a home affected by humidity, we can tell if we suffer from these problems:

• High temperature in the house while the outside is more pleasant.
• Increased sweating in the home.
• Stains or mold on ceilings and walls.
• Unpleasant odors, very noticeable when entering the house or in a closed room.
• Corroded or sticky plastics and rusty metals.

These effects should be added if someone in the home frequently suffers from respiratory problems or allergies, which may be caused by poor ventilation at home and by an increase in humidity.

To determine the humidity level we have at home, it is enough to use a humidity meter. This is a simple and economical device that will give us an approximate value of the amount of moisture in the house. To know if we have an excess, the value provided should be greater than 55%, which is already considered high humidity. It is considered that a 45% humidity level is a comfortable situation in relation to water vapor in the air.

If we have a high percentage of humidity, we will need to implement damp-proofing solutions. What will these types of actions consist of? Contrary to what many believe, it will involve improving air renewal in the home and implementing measures that prevent the proliferation of water vapor. Most damp-proofing products do not deliver the promised results.

For example, the actions that do not work to eliminate moisture indoors and are still very common are the following:

• Painting the areas affected by humidity. Without a doubt, this is the most widespread ineffective damp-proofing solution. Painting only temporarily improves, but if the root cause of the humidity is not resolved, the stains will reappear, even with damp-proof paints, which only offer some protection but do not solve the source of the excess water vapor.
• Coatings with damp-proof mortar face the same problem, as they do not resolve the underlying issue.
• Damp-proof boards can create an even worse problem. In this case, they cover the defects in the walls of excess water vapor, providing a false sense of security.

To eliminate the excess of water vapor indoors, it is necessary to apply damp-proofing solutions that provoke changes in the air renewal in the home.

Renewing the air as a true damp-proofing solution

The origin of humidity is varied -if we live in a coastal area, it is very easy to experience situations of high water vapor in the air-, but humidity problems usually arise due to insufficient air renewal. It is essential that indoors, we are able to renew the air. If we do not have mechanical ventilation systems, we should regularly open the windows.

The next important action to take is to control the humidity in areas where water vapor is generated, which is in bathrooms and kitchens. It is very common to see the source of humidity in living rooms and bedrooms and think that its origin is that room, when it usually is not the case. Showering with the door open or not ventilating while cooking generates a lot of humidity, which then spreads throughout the environment.

A true ally in the fight against dampness is the dehumidifier. It is not advisable to rely entirely on it, but it is recommended to use it as a help for the necessary air renewal.

The greatest damp-proofing solution is the use of mechanical ventilation systems. Thanks to them, we can renew the air and know exactly the humidity level we have. In this way, we eliminate the excess water vapor without having to open the windows, in a completely efficient manner. That, in addition to greater salubrity, gives us a higher degree of comfort at home.