Winter Weather Storm Readiness

12/17/2019 (Permalink)

Moisutre building up on window during winter

When the outside temperature drops we start to close up our homes. We close the windows and doors and even start installing different weatherproof products (insulation, weather stripping, spray foam, etc.). The problem often is that we are stagnating the interior and trapping moisture inside the house. This is especially the case if there are many occupants creating moisture by breathing, bathing, cooking and exercising. Also, we create stagnant odors and allow airborne particles to be locked in the house with us (germs, dust, mites, microbes, etc.).

The next thing that usually occurs is we activate the heating system to compensate for the falling outside temperatures. This has the tendency to dry the interior out, but in doing so can encourage expansion and contraction of interior materials and cause cracks in drywall, doors that don't fit, separating wood trim, heaved floors, and other problems. 

If you have a gas forced-air furnace, a benefit is that the furnace and its blower motor and filter help cleanse the interior environment. The concern is that you always need to maintain a balance where there is not too much nor too little moisture being added to the now locked-up house. Too much moisture can cause the formation of mildew and mold, cause the windows to steam up, cause doors to stick and just create a damp, humid environment.

http://www.thetimesherald.com/story/life/2014/12/06/cold-temperatures-can-damage-home/19983299/

If your home is damaged from the winter weather call SERVPRO of Aurora at 720-837-7553