What to do if the apartment has high humidity. How to get rid of dampness in the apartment

Increased humidity in the apartment slowly and gradually Negative influence on the health and well-being of a person, on the condition and decoration of rooms, on books and various products made of leather, wood, and clay. With excess humidity in the room, immunity weakens and lung function worsens.

As a result, a person often gets sick and catches a cold, suffers from chronic and skin diseases. These are various rashes, allergic reactions and eczema. Therefore, it is very important to deal with dampness and humidity in the apartment, if it is increased.

High humidity in the house provokes the rapid reproduction of fungus and pathogenic bacteria. As a result, mold forms on the walls and ceiling, dark spots, the wallpaper peels off in the apartment and appears bad smell.

Moreover, the unpleasant smell of dampness and mold eats into furniture, bedding and even clothes for a long time. Fruits and vegetables, cereals and flour products cannot be stored in such a room for a long time, as the products deteriorate in a short time.

Most often, too humid air occurs in brick houses, but this problem is also familiar to residents of panel high-rise buildings. Let's find out in more detail how to remove humidity in the apartment and get rid of the smell of dampness in the house.

Causes of high humidity in the house

• Clogged hood or completely broken ventilation in the apartment. In this case, you need to contact management company. What to do if the hood does not work well at home, see;
• The apartment is constantly heated;
• Dampness in the apartment on the first floor may appear due to the flooded basement, from where the humidity rises into the house;
• Unsealed seams between the walls in the apartment;
• Water leakage in the house, which was incorrectly or untimely installed, or which cannot be determined due to closed water pipes;
• Poor installation kitchen appliances and overlapping ventilation;
• Regular drying of laundry at home in a large volume;
• Constant humidity in the kitchen or in the bathroom can be observed due to improperly installed plumbing;
• A large number of flowers create an overly humid indoor climate.

How to get rid of humidity and dampness

Before you get rid of dampness in the apartment, it is important to identify the cause of this phenomenon and eliminate it. Be sure to check the operation of ventilation and pipes for leaks, the quality of installation of kitchen appliances and plumbing fixtures.

In most cases, including a flooded basement, a non-working hood, and damaged batteries, you need to contact the housing office or the management company that controls your home. If the organization does not respond and does not correct the problem, you need to go to higher authorities.

A special dehumidifier will help you get rid of humidity and dampness in your house or apartment. When choosing, keep in mind that the more powerful the device, the more efficiently and quickly it can remove dampness in the house and remove unpleasant odors.

Experts advise using modern dehumidifiers with a humidity sensor in the apartment and changing the heating temperature depending on the percentage of moisture in the room. This eliminates the drying of the air and helps to avoid excessive consumption of electricity.

A damp apartment should be regularly heated with hot batteries and radiators. Devices dry the room and help fight mold, fungus and bacteria. But keep in mind that continuous heating should only be in the cold season, and sudden temperature changes are not welcome.

Regular ventilation and fresh air in the room - better ways elimination of excess and high humidity in the house. Fully open every window in the apartment so that the air circulates in all rooms.

Be sure to leave the bathroom door open for at least two hours a day. Instead of ventilation, you can use an air conditioner that maintains the desired temperature and dries the air.

To eliminate dampness in a private house, if it comes from the street, you need to insulate the walls and ceiling. This will prevent moisture from entering the room, protect it from temperature extremes and condensation.

How to remove dampness in the bathroom and closet

Many are interested in how to get rid of dampness in the bathroom, because in this room the most high humidity. Periodically ventilate the room and try to keep the door open, be sure to check the operation of the hood.

To do this, bring a small piece of thin paper and bring it to the grate. The door must be open. It is desirable that the windows were open in the apartment.

If the paper is attracted, the ventilation works. If the sheet does not hold and falls, it has stopped working. In addition, the paper may fly off the grate, which indicates reverse thrust. In this case, not only does the unpleasant smell not leave the apartment, but an outsider also gets in.

Therefore, it is necessary to repair and establish the operation of the exhaust structure. Also, a heated towel rail will help to increase the level of dryness in the bathroom, with the help of which you need to periodically warm up the room.

Sometimes dampness appears in the closet, causing things to become damp. To solve the problem after washing, be sure to dry the clothes in washing machine or iron with a steam iron.

Folk remedies

To fix the problem, you can use folk remedies, which are distinguished by availability and cost-effectiveness. Arrange sugar, salt or coffee throughout the rooms, as they quickly absorb moisture. You can interestingly beat the interior using coffee beans for room decor or any items.

Silica gel can be used for more than just cat litter. A universal remedy is used to store things and get rid of moisture. To do this, put the universal remedy in bags and tie it up, put the products in a closet with linen or in a box with shoes.

Pour the product into a container and place under the sink or bathtub in the bathroom. But make sure that small children or pets do not accidentally eat the silica gel!

Use flowers that don't need to be watered often or that absorb moisture from the air. These are geraniums, ferns and cacti. In addition, essential oils will help improve the microclimate in the house.

Tea tree, fir and coniferous extracts, grapefruit and lemon kill harmful bacteria, normalize the air condition and fill the apartment with a pleasant aroma. Therefore, oils are best suited if the apartment smells bad. In addition, ethers have a positive effect on the state and well-being of a person, improve sleep and mood.

How to prevent dampness

• Clean with “draining” products, including vinegar, potassium permanganate and bleach. Wipe furniture and floors with solutions. If there is moisture, wipe the walls as well. At the end of cleaning, wipe the surfaces and remove excess water with a dry cloth;
• Do not dry clothes and linen in the apartment every day. For drying, it is better to use a balcony, loggia or a special mode in the washing machine. If there are no such opportunities, dry things indoors no more than twice a week;
• Misted windows accumulate water and increase humidity, especially in winter time. Rinse windows and mirrors regularly, and then wipe with a dry cloth or paper;
• For regular ventilation, install special alpine vents that can be safely opened even in the cold season;
• Instead of traditional plastic windows, it is better to install wooden ones with double-glazed windows. wooden frames distinguished by environmental friendliness and naturalness, high breathability, because the tree “breathes”;
• Before repairing an apartment prone to increased dampness, treat the walls with antifungal agents;
• When repairing, give preference to natural mineral-based building and finishing materials. They do not create a greenhouse effect and do not form condensate, regulate the level of humidity and absorb excess moisture. Avoid latex-based materials, as they accumulate even more moisture and have low permeability.

We examined how to remove the smell of dampness in the apartment and eliminate excess moisture. However, many apartment owners suffer from the reverse problem when the air is too dry.

Insufficient humidity also causes a lot of trouble. Dust and dirt accumulate in the house in a short time, it becomes uncomfortable and uncomfortable, it is difficult to breathe and there is not enough fresh air.

There are four main reasons why you need to get rid of the humidity in the apartment as soon as possible:

Causes of dampness

Poor ventilation, nearby sources of moisture, savings on heating and improper insulation are the main causes of dampness in a private or apartment building.

Poor ventilation is the most common cause of high humidity. AT apartment buildings, especially in the old fund, the laid ventilation shafts and grates are clogged, overgrown with debris. As a result, air movement stops. make the situation worse plastic windows, especially cheap samples, low-quality materials for covering ceilings and walls. In private houses, especially self-built ones, the owners sometimes try to save money through ventilation, believing that there are enough windows and doors. This is not true!

If the ventilation system cannot cope, it is not necessary to make a draft, especially in winter - this is fraught with hypothermia. More expensive but most practical solution will be forced exhaust ventilation, as well as amplifiers of an existing system, such as exhaust fans.

Another solution to the problem is the installation of a heat exchanger or the use of a special air dryer. The latter device is indispensable if the cause of dampness is excess moisture (for example, in a bathroom, pool, with an abundance of home flowers).

source of moisture

Sources of moisture in the apartment:

• atmospheric precipitation: rain, melting snow, condensate can enter the apartment through a leaking roof, through the pores of the walls and unsealed seams (especially if the wind, the wrong roof overhang or a defective drain constantly direct rainfall to the wall);
• stagnant water in the apartment: leaking plumbing equipment, swimming pools, baths, aquariums, including those located on the floor below, the same effect is given by a taken bath or a long shower;
• greenhouse effect from poor ventilation of windows (condensate accumulates on the glass), an abundance of indoor plants, especially if they need abundant watering;
• humidity also increases the respiration of people, animals, plants - usually this factor is not noticeable, however, in cramped and / or poorly ventilated rooms it will be noticeable.

Shambo or septic tanks can be located near a private house, which impregnate the grant with moisture. And as a result, the basement becomes very damp, mold develops in it. Another source of moisture in the basement and on the 1st floor is a split blind area (a waterproof coating located around the perimeter of the house). Moisture from the soil and precipitation will seep into the house or basement.

An unheated room is a haven for dampness. Ideally, the walls of an apartment or house should warm up to at least half the thickness, then the place where condensate forms will go outside (on the street). In frozen walls, the place where condensation forms is shifted to a warm area, and often even located on the surface of the walls on the residential side. The problem is exacerbated by poor ventilation.

Housing, where people do not live or which is not heated enough, begins to damp very quickly: wall decoration is destroyed on average in two seasons. In addition, in addition to natural wear and tear, the structure loses an additional 5% of strength every year precisely due to dampness.

Advice! Vacation home, cottage - not a single seasonal housing can be left without heating. Hire a person or arrange with a neighbor who will periodically monitor this. If you are visiting for a couple of weeks, do not close the valves of the batteries.

Incorrect insulation also causes dampness. The main faults are an insufficient layer to provide warmth, and poor, zero vapor permeability materials.

To properly insulate an apartment, you can use one of two options:

1. The thickness of the polystyrene insulation layer is within 10-15 cm (and this is true for any region of the Russian Federation).
2. As a heater, use a vapor-permeable material, for example, ecowool, mineral wool. This will ensure that moisture is removed from the walls.

How to remove high humidity

To deal with humidity, it is likely that a tangible cost of either money or time and patience will be required.

The most reliable ways to combat dampness are expensive. However, after the restructuring, you do not have to think about drafts or sachets. Methods are expensive, but pay off with interest:

1. Replacement of the ventilation system, installation of fans, extracts.
2. Overhaul, in which the old plaster is completely removed in damp areas. After that, the room is dried, and the walls are covered with a fresh layer of plaster.
3. Replacement and repair heating systems and water pipes. The task becomes more difficult if these systems are hidden.
4. Solving problems with the waterproofing properties of the foundation, walls and roof, which is the most time-consuming and expensive procedure. It is unlikely that you will be able to cope on your own, without the involvement of specialists.

Available and simple ways reduce indoor humidity:

1. When the weather is dry and warm outside, you should ventilate the room more often by opening the windows.
2. The bathroom needs especially frequent ventilation, the hood in this room needs regular cleaning.
3. Do not dry clothes in the room, as this increases the humidity of the air significantly. This is permissible only in winter, when the air is overdried by the heating system, it needs to be moistened. In summer, it is better to dry clothes on the balcony or outside.
4. In the process of cooking, pots of boiling water must be covered with lids. It is also recommended to close the doors to the kitchen, this will serve as an obstacle to the spread of steam through the rooms in the apartment. Open windows for slot ventilation in winter or full ventilation in summer, do not forget to turn on the hood. Try not to let the pots steam too much (turn down the heat).
5. Slightly reduce the humidity in the room will help reduce the number of indoor plants.
6. A special dehumidifier (compressor or adsorption) will eliminate high humidity in a separate room.

Advice! Regularly ventilate the room, regardless of the season, will allow the installation of plastic windows, which are equipped with the "micro-ventilation" function.

Increased humidity is removed if you constantly maintain the same heating in the room.

How to remove damp smell

Often high humidity accompanied by a characteristic smell of dampness. Its cause is a fungus, therefore, in order to eliminate the problem, the infection should be destroyed. Thoroughly wash off mold stains, if it is deeply ingrained, replace the coating (up to the plaster layer), if possible. Then treat with a disinfectant, and then with a protective one. Products should be labeled "anti-fungal" or "fungicide".

In order for the mold not to divorce again, in addition to treatment with protective preparations, it will be required in warm, dry weather:

• arrange a draft in the apartment, which will ensure good ventilation;
• hang carpets, bedding, curtains, clothes outside to dry and disinfect in the sun.

Advice! In winter, heaters, household air dryers, air conditioners, which are equipped with a heating function, will allow you to dry the room.

Folk remedies for dampness in the apartment

Folk recipes also help to dry the air in the apartment:

1. With the onset of summer, in warm weather, walls that are not covered with wallpaper and covered with mold are recommended to be treated with the following composition: dissolve half a kilogram in five liters of water laundry soap then boil the mixture. Cooled down soapy water evenly cover the wall with a brush and let dry. Repeat the treatment several times. There should be marks on the wall. soap suds. After that, apply another composition consisting of 100 grams of alum diluted in six liters of water.
2. Calcium chloride perfectly absorbs moisture. Place containers with this substance in damp places. The advantage of calcium chloride is its reusability. It is enough to dry it (for example, in the oven). Before use, calcium chloride must be crushed.
3. To eliminate mold and prevent the spread of dampness, treatment with a mixture of salicylic acid and alcohol will help. Dry the walls thoroughly. Then combine one part salicylic acid and two hundred (200) parts alcohol. Dilute the mixture with a little clean water. Lubricate the black spots of mold with the resulting product.

Advice! Replace calcium chloride with charcoal or quicklime.

1. Use a hydrometer. In the warm season, the optimum humidity will be from 30 to 60%, the maximum - 65. At the end of autumn, in winter, in early spring humidity should vary between 30-45% and not exceed 60.
2. Provide access to the sun's rays.
3. Ventilate the apartment, you need to do this systematically and efficiently.
4. Repair cracks in walls and floors.
5. Ensure good waterproofing.
6. Use fans in the kitchen and bathroom, including exhaust fans. Periodically check the draft in the ventilation system. Check the condition of plumbing fixtures Special attention allocate pipe connections.
7. Systematically inspect the seal on plastic windows, replace it with a new one in a timely manner.
8. Doing overhaul, use mineral-based building materials. This will make it possible to effectively adjust the humidity in an apartment or private house.

Eliminate dampness in the apartment can be simple and accessible ways. Wall processing special formulations kill mold and prevent it reappearance. Systematic prevention will protect against increased humidity and the formation of fungus.

Human beings need air to function properly optimal level humidity. It is not uncommon for this level to rise in the bathroom, kitchen, living room or vestibule. The owners grab their heads, not knowing how to get rid of the smell of dampness and high humidity that has appeared. In addition to the fact that an unpleasant odor permeates clothes and wooden elements decor, mold appears on the walls, which spoils the whole impression. To deal with the problem in short time practical recommendations must be followed.

Optimum humidity level

It is generally accepted that the dwelling should have humidity, the indicator of which ranges from 50-60%, not higher. To measure the microclimate, you need to use a device called a hygrometer. In the summer season, the humidity level may decrease to the level of 35-40%, this feature achieved for obvious reasons.

It is known that human body equally badly tolerates both excessively humid climate and arid. People who use split systems should be extremely careful. The air conditioner sucks in moisture, causing a drop in optimal indicator. However, if you often dry clothes in the living room, and not on the balcony, the split system will become a lifesaver.

Reasons for high humidity

1. High humidity occurs for many reasons, one of them is considered to be the lack of both natural and artificial ventilation. If there is air circulation, then it is worth checking how well it works.
2. It is not uncommon for the humidity to rise above the permissible limits for the reason that the neighbors living above heat the apartment from below. Dampness accumulates in corners and cracks, provoking the appearance of mold.
3. To date, not every developer can be called conscientious. Some save on material, others hire workers with insufficient qualifications. High humidity appears due to poorly sealed seams from the street part of the wall.
4. If we talk about the house, in most cases the basement is often flooded due to the large amount ground water. From the lower tier, moisture rises to the first and second floors, while being accompanied by an unpleasant odor.
5. The modern design of many living spaces involves concealment sewer pipes various decorative panels. For this reason, if a water leak occurs, the owner cannot eliminate it in time.

The consequences of high humidity

Important attention must be focused on health, which deteriorates due to high humidity.

1. In such conditions, the human body is not able to cope even with the most banal cold syndromes, what can we say about serious diseases. If you are constantly and for a long time in a humid environment, a banal cold can develop into something more.
2. In addition to weakening the immune system, a humid microclimate causes allergies, eczema, skin rashes, insomnia, runny nose, muscle and joint pain. Also, high humidity contributes to the development of apathy, general fatigue, depression.
3. It is not uncommon for a fungus that has appeared to cause the development chronic diseases. The elderly and children are most susceptible to such reactions. In the first category, the protective functions of the body do not work to the full, in the second - the body is not yet fully formed.
4. If the humidity of the air exceeds the optimal limits, a pungent and unpleasant smell of mold is established in the apartment. The stench eats into the furniture upholstery, floor soft coverings, clothes, towels, bed linen, mattress and pillow.
5. Due to high humidity, the seams of the room turn black, indicating the development of mold. With each passing day, the fungus infects everything large surface, endangered walls, ceilings, cabinets, window frames etc.
6. If high humidity persists long time, accelerated spoilage of food products (baked goods, vegetables, fruits, flour, cereals and legumes) begins.

1. Air Dryer. by the most the best option To combat high humidity, it is considered to be the use of a dehumidifier. The pricing policy depends on the specific manufacturer, the power of the unit and its model. You can buy the device in Vse dlya Doma stores, as well as in electronics hypermarkets. It is worth clarifying that the more productive the unit, the faster it will cope with high humidity. If possible, purchase a device with a regulator and a table that displays the level of dampness. Such a function will allow you to save on electricity and not dry out the air.
2. Heating radiators. You can get rid of excessive moisture in the room with the help of heating radiators. Batteries are present in every apartment, but it is not always possible to use them (the exception is the summer-spring period). If you notice that dampness persists for a long time, heat the room periodically. During a kind of heat treatment, the fungus dies, the air becomes much drier. Turn on the heating only in the cold season, avoid sudden jumps temperature regime, because of which the windows sweat.
3. Fresh air. It is known that humid environment afraid of fresh air, but only if the ventilation does not occur in cloudy and rainy weather. Make it a habit to open windows 3 times a day, leave for a quarter of an hour, if possible longer. If possible, keep the window open at all times, closing it only in case of rain outside. To make ventilation much more efficient, install plastic windows that open upwards (micro-ventilation). Such a move will eliminate the likelihood of drafts and remove moisture.
4. Sugar and salt. The listed products perfectly absorb moisture, but, as a rule, they are used extremely rarely. Agree, it’s not very convenient to keep a five-kilogram bag with a bulk composition in the middle of the room, also in open state. The option is useful in the fight against moisture in small rooms, such as a pantry, vestibule, bathroom. It is enough to pour salt or sugar into the basin, and then take it to the room, do not forget to stir occasionally.

Preventive actions

1. Inspect sewer pipes and heating radiators, find out if there is a leak. In this case, call the wizard or troubleshoot on your own.
2. If the yard is sunny and warm, ventilate the room constantly. Do not sit in an apartment with closed windows long time.
3. The air conditioner absorbs some of the moisture from the room. In addition, the split system eliminates the smell of dampness and prevents mold from infecting larger areas.
4. Equip your kitchen with a hood. Turn it on every time you cook, especially if you prefer to boil or stew food.
5. Check traction ventilation system, clean it of dust and foreign debris. Perhaps it is the ventilation that is causing the unpleasant odor.
6. Choose for yourself houseplants that do not need abundant watering. The cactus is considered the most optimal, put 3 species in each room with a suffocating smell.
7. It is known that natural materials absorb excess moisture. During cosmetic repairs give preference to products of this kind, give up synthetics.
8. Look for absorbent preparations that absorb excess moisture. An excellent option is the STOP moisture tool, it can be purchased at any hardware store.
9. In the winter season, install an additional heating radiator in the apartment or get by with the simplest wind blower "Veterok".
10. If possible, dry clothes on the loggia or balcony. Otherwise, keep the windows open throughout the drying process (important for warm and sunny weather).

It is quite difficult to get rid of high humidity in the apartment, if you do not have knowledge regarding the available methods. Ventilate the room more often, install air conditioning, heat the apartment. Get a dehumidifier, turn it on at least 4 times a week.

Video: what is the danger of high humidity in apartments

From this article you will learn about the main causes of dampness in an apartment or house. We will also talk about how to eliminate these causes and restore the normal microclimate of the home. You will learn about the traditional and most modern methods solution to the problem of air drying.

With the change of seasons, almost all owners are faced with increased humidity due to snowmelt. The spread of negative phenomena is great: from mild discomfort to “weeping” walls and mold. Consider some of the most popular cases and causes of dampness in residential premises, as well as ways to combat this unpleasant phenomenon.

Any changes in the microclimate have their own reason, influencing which, you can change it. Dampness has its own "sources", which the owner may not know about, or may not attach importance to them.

Reason #1: Poor ventilation

The owners often “forget” about the device of forced ventilation during repairs out of economy, relying entirely on windows and doors. In our apartments, the project provides for ventilation of two rooms - a bathroom and a kitchen. Living quarters have vents, windows and balconies for ventilation. Of course, ventilation lowers the temperature of the room by blowing out warm (and moist) air, so in cold period it is rarely used.

The effect of dehumidification in summer is achieved by mixing dry air from the street with vapor-saturated internal "exhaust" air. During transitional periods, especially in early spring, atmospheric air saturated with steam, but at the same time remains cold. Accordingly, ventilation does not bring the desired effect.

How to fight

Check the ventilation arranged according to the project - the draft should be noticeable. If the draft is good in the kitchen and bathroom, and dampness is not removed, there are three options for solving this problem.

1. Forced exhaust ventilation. The device of such a system, although it will entail certain costs and inconveniences, will solve the problem of dampness once and for all. The branched hood has its drawbacks - energy consumption, duct system, background noise. The minimum that can be done is to install a fan in the kitchen duct.

2. Installation of the heat exchanger. A ducted room heat exchanger of the "PRANA", "Reventa" or similar type is a more modern and ergonomic element that solves two problems at once - the extraction of moist air and the inflow of fresh air. Many models are heated to work in winter period. The cost of a channel heat exchanger is from 340 to 380 USD. e.

Video: PRANA duct heat exchanger

3. Use a dehumidifier. This device passes air through itself, collecting excess moisture and filtering it. Such a device is very effective - it removes dampness from the room within an hour. At the same time, the composition of the air remains unchanged. Moisture is collected in a separate container and drained. Filters, ozonizers and fragrances can optionally be integrated into the device. The cost of such a device for a room of 30-50 square meters. m is from 140 to 220 c.u. e.

Reason number 2. Moisture source

In private houses, these are septic tanks or shambos located close to the house. They impregnate the soil with water, the water passes under the house, the soil surrounding the foundation or basement becomes damp. The same with atmospheric waters flowing onto a split blind area. Dampness in the basement and in the floor of the 1st floor is provided.

In apartments, this can be:

• leaking roof;
• a defect in the drain or overhang of the roof, directing atmospheric water to the wall of the apartment;
• windy side of the house - rain constantly hits the wall of the apartment;
• constantly current taps, plumbing;
• a large number of water on the lower floor - aquariums, swimming pool, sauna;
• evaporation of condensate on the windows (which collects due to poor ventilation).

It is difficult to name other trouble-free open sources of moisture in the apartment, but in each individual case everything is possible.

How to fight

Eliminate source. Fix a roof or drain, relocate a septic tank, protect a wall from atmospheric waters. If the reason is in an open source, waterproofing should be done with a liquid composition. Remember that waterproofing is applied from the source of moisture.

Reason number 3. Unheated room

Extreme savings on heating on the principle of "only warm air in the room "- the most common cause of dampness of the "weeping walls" of an apartment or house. The wall must be heated to at least half the thickness. Then the dew point (the place where condensation forms) will come out on the side of the street. A frozen wall shifts the dew point closer to a warm area, and sometimes even to the inner plane.

This problem often "works" coupled with a lack of ventilation. Abandoned or poorly heated premises become damp very quickly - Decoration Materials are destroyed in 2 seasons, the structure loses up to 5-6% of strength annually (in addition to natural wear and tear). It is highly undesirable to combine heated and unheated (according to the project) premises under one roof.

How to fight

Increase heating. Try to calculate how much damage your home can get from merciless dampness and the amount you save on heating. Then compare these amounts and draw a conclusion. Of course, insulation must be of high quality and timely.

If it is not possible to raise the temperature, set the fans to heating appliances and provide short-term ventilation - the humidity will even out. Do not leave the house unheated if you are going to return - find a person who will heat it.

Reason number 4. Improper insulation

Thermal insulation of walls with cheap and lightweight foam plastic or expensive modern extruded polystyrene foam has already gained momentum and is becoming a welcome event for residents apartment buildings. Almost no one ever makes a heat engineering calculation of the walls of an apartment to determine the thickness of the insulation. Therefore, when choosing a layer of insufficient thickness, the wall continues to freeze and dampen.

Life in such a "thermos" can spoil the dampness in the apartment and the inevitable fungus. The reason is the same dew point, which is comfortably located between the panel (wall) and the insulation plate. In addition, the vapor permeability of sounded materials is close to zero and this is not the only problem with foam. cheap material, produced in an artisanal way, is extremely flammable and toxic when heated. Keep this in mind when preparing to insulate the apartment.

Video: Styrofoam problems

How to fight

Study useful articles where engineers and builders with extensive experience speak. Understanding the physics of processes will save you not only from dampness, but also from many other troubles. There are two unmistakable options for warming an apartment:

1. Obviously an excess layer of polystyrene insulation. A thickness of 100-150 mm guarantees that the dew point is outside the wall (in the thickness of the insulation) for any region.
2. Vapor permeable insulation. Mineral wool, ecowool, any kind of ventilated facade. This is guaranteed to get rid of moisture in the walls.

Dampness in the apartment can provoke the appearance of mold, which, getting into the body, causes viral diseases person. In addition, in itself, humid air is not suitable for everyone. Weakness, soreness, spontaneous loss of working capacity - something that can happen due to excess moisture in the air. Therefore, the elimination of moisture is a concern not only for native walls, but also for yourself and dear people.

Tsugunov Anton Valerievich

Reading time: 4 minutes

The microclimate in the apartment has a significant impact on the health and well-being of its inhabitants. Weakness, loss of efficiency, increased susceptibility to viral and colds, skin diseases, allergies - this is what dampness in an apartment can threaten. In addition, wooden and leather products, books deteriorate from deterioration, decoration quickly becomes unusable, therefore, in order to preserve health and home comfort dampness is essential.

How to know that the humidity in the apartment is above the norm?

You can find out about high humidity in the room by the following signs:

1. fogging glass surfaces(window, glass doors, mirrors).
2. Wet spots on the walls of the apartment,.
3. Wet towels, bed linen, clothes in closets.
4. The smell of dampness and mustiness.

Causes of high humidity in the apartment

To properly combat dampness in an apartment, it is important to find out the causes of its occurrence. These include:

1. The presence of sources of moisture.
2. Wrong insulation.
3. Insufficient heating.
4. Ventilation problems.

Let's take a look at these causes and how to eliminate them.

The presence of sources of additional moisture

They can serve as:

• Leaking plumbing or pipes. The solution is to check, repair or replace everything you can.
• Flowers. Tropical plants that require frequent watering should be removed from the apartment, giving preference undemanding species, which will not evaporate a lot of moisture.
• Aquariums in the apartment. If the humidity problem is serious, you will have to give up this hobby and clean the aquarium.

• Plenty of water downstairs. It can be a basement, a swimming pool, etc. It is difficult to do something here, appeals to the housing office with a request to improve the microclimate of the basement are ineffective, you can’t get rid of the pool, all that remains is to change your place of residence or install a powerful dehumidifier in the apartment.
• Unscrupulous upstairs neighbors who periodically heat up your apartment or have leaking faucets. The last factor makes your pipes “sweat” and “cry”. The resulting condensation increases the humidity in the apartment. You can get rid of the problem by calling a locksmith from the housing and communal services, in extreme cases, you can resort to using polyurethane casings by wrapping them around a wet pipe.

HELPFUL INFORMATION: What is optimal humidity air in the apartment?

Humidity due to improper insulation

If all the previous reasons are excluded and you are firmly convinced that the high humidity in the apartment arose due to poor-quality insulation, then legislation and engineering conclusions will help you thermotechnical calculation walls of the room to determine the required thickness and material of insulation. Depending on the situation, you may need:

• sealing the seams between the plates;
• internal insulation of the apartment;
• wall insulation outside the building.

You can find out where the moisture comes from in the apartment using a piece of glass. Put it on the wall for a few minutes. If the side that was pressed against the wall becomes wet, dampness enters the apartment from the street due to structural defects in the building.

Insufficient heating

If you have an apartment individual heating, then the problem of high humidity is solved simply. In winter, you yourself can regulate the heat supply, reducing or increasing it as needed, but without sudden changes that will aggravate the situation. In wet and humid weather, you need to turn on the heating to dry.

What to do if central heating The apartment is not warm enough and because of this the humidity rises?

• Cold pipes can be the result of undersupply of heat by boiler houses or the initiative of neighbors who decide to remove bypasses. The solution is to contact the utilities.
• Installed decorative grilles on radiators reduce heat transfer by a quarter. Better to avoid them altogether.
• Battery paint can also reduce heat transfer by 10%, to avoid this, it is necessary to remove the previous layer before painting.

Ventilation

Basically, ventilation in the apartment is provided due to the presence of ventilation shafts. Ventilation openings and ventilation ducts leading to common shafts are located in places with high humidity: in the bathroom and in the kitchen. If you checked the ventilation and found that the draft is weak or absent, one of the following reasons takes place:

• The channel may be clogged with debris. You can get rid of blockage by cleaning it.
• Some of the neighbors blocked the exhaust shaft during redevelopment or improper installation of the hood in the kitchen. Solving the problem can take a lot of time and effort, if the neighbors do not make contact, you should not fight them, it is better to immediately contact the public utilities first, and then go to court.

HELPFUL INFORMATION: How to choose a humidifier for an apartment: battery humidifiers

There are several more ways to solve the problem of high humidity in the apartment due to poor ventilation:

1. Installation of a forced ventilation system. Its disadvantages include some financial costs associated with the purchase of a fan and an increase in power consumption, as well as noise. Plus - the solution of the problem once and for all.
2. Installation of a heat exchanger - a special device that draws out moist air and provides fresh air. An expensive thing, but the humidity in the apartment is guaranteed to reduce.

In addition to individual methods for eliminating humidity in an apartment, characteristic for each individual case, there are also general ones.

1. Regular ventilation of the room. It has long been known that humidity is afraid of fresh air.
2. Buying a dehumidifier. The more powerful the technique, the greater the effect of its work, the faster it will be possible to get rid of high humidity.

The best option is a dehumidifier with a humidity sensor that reacts to the percentage of moisture in the room air. The automatic mode will help to avoid overdrying and save energy.