EFFECTS OF HUMIDITY

PREPARED BY,
SHRADDHA PALANDE

INTRODUCTION
Humidity is a term for the amount
of water vapor in the air.

CAUSES OF HUMIDITY
Humidity in buildings has a variety of causes.
Following are the causes of humidity:
Building related causes - Rising dampness,
leakage, porous walls
Drying and washing
Kettles
Baths and showers
Wet clothes
Ambient high humidity outside

EFFECTS OF HUMIDITY
Humidity is noticeable by its symptoms.
Following are the effects of humidity:

Damp or wet walls

Mold
Peeling and blistering wallpaper
Breakdown of plasterwork
Mildew
Doors and windows does not fit properly
Swelling wooden furniture
Health deterioration (coughs, asthma, etc. triggered by mites
and mold spores)
Clothing damaged by mold
Window condensation

Excessive moisture in buildings can

result from a number of causes:
Rainwater leaks through roofs and walls
Leakage of moist air
Diffusion of moisture through walls, roofs,
and floors
Groundwater intrusion into basements
and crawl spaces through walls and floors
Leaking or burst water pipes
Indoor moisture sources
Construction moisture

 Rainwater Leaks: The control of rainwater leaks has been the

subject of good building practices for as long as human
habitations have been built. Even infrequent but serious leaks
during heavy storms can lead to mold infestation which can
cause serious damage to buildings
Leakage of Moist Air: Warm and moist indoor air condenses on
cold surfaces and interstitial planes inside constructions. This
moisture can be stored harmlessly within construction materials
or can cause mold growth and deterioration. Excessive moisture
content in wood can cause mold growth and dry rot on wood,
rust on unprotected steel, and loss of insulating value in thermal
insulations.
Diffusion of Moisture through Walls, Roofs, and Floors: Diffusion,
as a result of differing vapor pressures across walls or roofs
moves moisture through building materials.

 Groundwater Intrusion: Intrusion of groundwater into basements and crawl

spaces is common. This can result from a high water table or from rainwater
runoff soaking into the ground at the basement/crawl space walls. Because
most basements and crawl spaces are connected through cracks, pipe
chases, and stairways to the rest of the building, moist air from wet
basements and crawl spaces will find their way into occupied and other
spaces above.
Indoor Moisture Sources: Human occupancy: breathing, perspiration, cooking,
bathing, and clothing washing can add significant amounts of moisture to
buildings. Kitchens and bathrooms should be independently vented and
washers need to be vented outdoors. Open sumps, aquariums, indoor
swimming pools, and hot tubs, as well as excessive indoor plants can increase
indoor humidity beyond the recommended 30 to 50 percent. Moisture sources
should, where possible, be covered by tight lids when not in use.
Construction Moisture: Wet construction materials, such as in-situ cast
concrete and lumber stored unprotected outdoors prior to installation can
increase indoor humidity significantly during the first one to two years of
occupancy.

EFFECTS OF HUMIDITY:
IN HUMID AREAS:
1. A person tends to perspire more easily, especially under
physical exertion. This results in a sticky feeling on the
skin. Arising from heavy perspiration, it is necessary to
drink water often to make up for the loss so as to
replenish the body.
2. After washing, wet clothings will take a longer time to
dry, although the presence of winds help.
3. Metal objects tend to rust faster as the moisture in the
air facilitates the process of oxidation.
4. When kept in the cupboard for a long time, books and
magazines get affected by mildew, while food, clothings
and leather products turn moldy.

EFFECTS OF HUMIDITY:
ON ARID REGIONS:
1. Even as a person exerts himself/herself, the perspiration coming out
of the person's sweat pores evaporates into the air quickly. So, the
skin feels dry.
2. When in the open, the lack of natural moisture in the air causes the
external layer of the skin (the epidermis) to dry up quickly, resulting
in cracked lips and peeling skin. It is also important to keep the body
hydrated by drinking sufficient amounts of water. When indoors,
humidifiers should be used to maintain a comfortable level of
humidity. Another simple method is to leave bowls of water in the
different rooms and let natural evaporation keep up the humidity
level.
3. Due to the lack of humidity, which is often accompanied by the lack
of wind, the air is more dusty. If there are a lot of pollutants and
small particles in the air, smog is formed, which is bad for health.

INDOOR HUMIDITY EFFECT

In cold climates, the maximum sustainable
indoor humidity depends on the thermal and
moisture characteristics of the external envelope
and the outdoor temperature. When indoor
humidity exceeds the tolerance level of the walls
and roof, disastrous consequences may occur.
The frequency of moisture problems was
directly related to the occupant density. High
occupant density tends to result in large
amounts of moisture released, thus high indoor
humidity.

 In all the coastal regions; buildings struggle with far

greater levels of moisture in the air. This moisture laden
air enters homes and businesses causing our HVAC
systems to run much longer. The increased run times
cause our utility bills to also increase significantly.
Our air conditioning and heating systems not only keep
us cool in the summer and warm in the winter; they
also dehumidify our indoor air. Lower levels of moisture
in the air, greatly improves comfort levels inside a
building. You see our skin feels too hot or cold if
temperatures are too high or low and higher humidity
levels magnify our level of discomfort.

BENEFITS OF
DEHUMIDIFIERS
Dehumidifiers should be used to reduce
humidity.
The benefits of reducing the humidity at
home or work place are as follows:
Protection of building from damp and mold
Protection of contents of building from mold
and damp damage
Protection of items in long term storage
Reduction in condensation
Quicker drying