Why Humidity Feels Worse in Older Highland Park Homes

People living in Highland Park and elsewhere in Dallas County know exactly what someone means when they complain about high humidity. But what exactly causes this weather-related condition?

At its foundation, humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air at a given moment in time. When air is warmer, it can hold more of this gaseous form of water, which is why humidity is typically higher in warmer temperatures and lower when the thermometer drops. When it’s hot (higher temperatures) AND humid (more water molecules in the air), weather conditions can feel pretty miserable.

In the Lone Star State, heat and humidity are accepted conditions outdoors, particularly during summer. When residents can go inside their homes to cool down, they can ideally get a break. But what about indoor humidity in Highland Park, TX? What should homeowners do then?

The reality is that plenty of historic homes exist in Highland Park. Established as its own locale in 1913, this led to numerous homes being built between the 1920s and the 1950s (although newer construction does exist). Many historic homes cluster around Old Highland Park, which was where the city began. They range from attractive Prairie-style and Craftsman-style bungalows to beautiful estates.

These real estate treasures can face more humidity challenges, though. So, we’ll first share problems associated with humidity and why older Highland Park homes can feel so humid, along with solutions to provide relief. If you need help now, please reach out to our heating and cooling experts in Highland Park.

What Problems Are Caused By Humidity

Humidity problems fall into two main categories: those that affect the well-being of you and your family, and those that impact your home.

When humidity grows, so can mold and mildew. This, in turn, can harm people in the following ways:

Mold and mildew can trigger allergies and asthma, and are particularly harmful to young children, older adults, and people with other health issues.
These conditions can also lead to bronchitis, sinus infections, or even lung infections.
Mold and mildew spores can also irritate some people’s skin.
Sleep can be interrupted, which comes with a whole host of problems, including to potentially weakening your immune system.

When humidity is high, it can be detrimental to your Highland Park home in the following ways:

Mold and mildew can damage carpets, rugs, books, cushions, curtains, and more. Over time, it can damage walls and ceilings.
High humidity can cause paint to flake and wallpaper to peel.
High humidity can also cause hardwood floors, wooden furniture, doors, window casings, and more to rot.
Indoor air quality suffers when mold and mildew are present.
Although perhaps less destructive, but nevertheless unpleasant, mold and mildew can give your home an unwanted smell that’s hard to get rid of.

In short, you’ll want to address indoor humidity in Highland Park, TX.

Why Humidity Causes More Harm in Older Homes

Although all homes need protection from high humidity, older homes face unique susceptibilities. Here are three reasons why:

Materials used in older homes can retain moisture more than those used in construction today, including wood, plaster, and forms of insulation.
Waterproofing may have been inadequate during construction and during subsequent remodeling and repairs.
These homes were typically built when less-than-sufficient ventilation standards were in place. Examples include insufficient exhaust systems in kitchens and bathrooms.

So, what do you do to address the indoor humidity in Highland Park, TX?

Solutions for High Humidity in Highland Park

Fortunately, numerous solutions exist. Here are six of them:

Keep the Outdoor Humidity Out

In Highland Park, summer humidity levels can range from 60 to 80 percent, which is quite high. So, as a start, keep the outdoor humidity where it belongs by weatherstripping windows and doors,

Also check your home for other cracks and crevices, from the basement to the attic, and seal them up.

Be a Fan of Fans

Install exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms if they don’t already exist. They can help to push humid air outdoors (don’t vent into your attic). Run these exhaust fans when cooking, showering, or otherwise adding humidity to the home.

Ceiling fans can improve your home’s airflow and, although they don’t cool your house, they can help you feel more comfortable.

Check Insulation and Ventilation From Top to Bottom

Make sure that you have sufficient insulation in your attic, working your way down to your walls. If your basement and/or crawl space doesn’t have sufficient ventilation, the moisture there contributes to your home’s humidity. Explore exhaust fan and vent solutions to remove high humidity.

You could also investigate vapor barriers that will prevent excess moisture from getting into the home. Also seal up cracks and crevices in this space.

Manage Humidity Through Dehumidifiers

For a whole-house solution to control indoor humidity in Highland Park, TX, Moss Heating, Cooling & Plumbing offers a long-lasting system that consistently and quietly reduces moisture in your home.

We don’t offer cookie-cutter solutions, either. We’ll inspect your home’s size, layout, and more along with your climate challenges to provide the optimal system to reduce humidity and protect your health, home, and peace of mind.

Don’t Forget Indoor Air Quality

As you seal your home to protect against outdoor humidity, you’ll want to ensure your indoor air is healthy and clean.

Air filtration solutions from Moss can make a powerful difference in how your home feels (and how you feel!). You can breathe more easily, and your heating and cooling system can work more efficiently. We’ll provide you with a low-maintenance system, a simple and convenient upgrade that impacts your life in better ways every day.

Keep Your Air Conditioning System Well Maintained

Managing both heat and humidity is the optimal solution for cool comfort in your Highland Park home. So, you’ll want to ensure that the HVAC system you have is right-sized for your home, neither too big nor too small. Experts at Moss can assess whether an HVAC replacement could help. Know that we make our recommendations based upon what’s best for you and your home, not what’s advantageous for our business.

Regular AC maintenance will help the system to run well throughout its lifespan, keeping your home cool and comfortable. Combine this action with the other strategies listed in this post to maximize your anti-humidity campaign at home and greatly reduce indoor humidity in Highland Park, TX.

Choose Moss for Your Heating and Cooling, Dehumidifier, and Air Quality Needs

Don’t settle for less. Go for the best with Moss. We offer the whole range of services, from HVAC installations, maintenance, and repairs, along with dehumidifiers and air filtration systems. Moss offers prompt, friendly service for solutions that focus on the long-term comfort of you and your family.

We’re here to help you with your unique needs! Book your appointment online or call us at 972-616-4894. Our team looks forward to serving you!