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- Moisture problems
Finding the cause of moisture problems
Start at the source
Before thinking about a solution, it's important to first consider the causes of moisture problems. For example, if the cause is a leak or blockage, ventilation will have little effect on it. If the moisture is coming from the soil, this should be sealed off. And if there is no obvious source of moisture? Then there is a good chance that the moisture problems are related to the house itself. In such cases, it is important not only to look at ventilation, but also at insulation.
Moisture problems in the home
Moisture problems in the home are often caused by two things - damp air and cold surfaces. If there are cold surfaces in the house (usually because these surfaces are not or are poorly insulated), moisture will mainly be absorbed by these surfaces. Ventilation has very little effect on this. And moulds and other allergens will find their way into these cold, damp surfaces.
The solution:the best way to tackle moisture problems is to provide all surfaces with good insulation, so that moisture cannot settle. It is then important to ventilate sufficiently, to remove the moisture that will now remain in the air.
Damp floors
Damp floors are a common problem in the Netherlands. The cause of this is actually something the Dutch are very proud of. The houses have such good wall and window insulation that the effects of the climate are not felt inside the house. However, insulating walls and windows well, in combination with poor floor insulation, does pose major risks. This is because the floor is most susceptible to moisture problems.
If the floor is the coldest surface, the humidity in the house will migrate to the floor. This means that the undersides of furniture, textile floor coverings and rugs or carpets will all have a high humidity level. These areas then become breeding grounds for moulds, dust mites and other allergens.
Solution:Unfortunately, more ventilation hardly affects this problem. A good floor insulation system is the best solution, by far. As the floor warms up, the humidity level will decrease and, with it, the negative effects of the damp floor.
Damp crawl space
Moist crawl spaces often have unpleasant consequences for comfortable living and a good, indoor climate. The soil can regularly become very moist due to heavy rainfall or, for example, rising groundwater levels. The moisture that then migrates into the crawl space, provides the effect of living above a damp hole in the ground. This moisture then migrates into the house through the floor, the foundation walls and through ventilation. This can cause damp floor problems, a musty smell, and reduce the floor's insulation value. So it’s important to seal off both the crawl space and the house from the damp soil.
Solution:apply Soil Foil to the ground in the crawl space. Soil Foil does not allow moisture to pass through it and thus keeps the moisture in the ground. This prevents moisture from entering the crawl space and the house. In crawl spaces that are regularly flooded, the Soil Foil is laid on top of a layer of bubble wrap, which creates flotation, so that the Soil Foil always remains above the rising water level. The result is a significantly drier crawl space and no more musty odours. Learn more about Soil Foil.