Water in the home can contribute to higher humidity levels.  Water intrusion can occur through leaks, seeping through basement floors and floods.  The amount of moisture in the air in your home can often depends on the temperature.  Increased temperatures enable the air to hold more moisture.  In cold weather moisture condenses on cold surfaces.  Windows and pipes that are warm or hot.  Such moisture can encourage biological growth.

Ways to control moisture in your home:

Fix Leaks

Address seepage. Check the entrance to the basement for blockage of the drain. Consider investing in a screen to block leaves and debris from covering the area.

Reduce Condensation

The best way to stop condensation is to reduce the moisture in the inside air. Eliminate or reduce any sources of moisture in your home that you can control.

• Vent your clothes dryer to the outside.
  
  
• Vent your bathrooms. If there is no vent fans use a portable fan to help circulate the air.
  
  
• Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners. In hot, humid weather these can help reduce the moisture in the air.
  
  
• Carpets on concrete floors in basements can absorb moisture. If a carpet is wet for between 48 to 72 hours there is a very good chance that mold will develop. Consider installing a vapor barrier or sheet of plastic over the concrete to cover the sub-flooring.
  
  
• If the thermostat is too high excessive moisture collects on windows and other cold surfaces. Other sources can be overuse of a humidifier, long showers, steaming or boiling while cooking and drying clothes indoors. A tight, energy efficient home holds moisture inside, be sure to ventilate.

Clean HVAC and Ducts

Mold can develop in your duct system. Change filters regularly, every 3 months. Have the system checked by a professional annually.

Clean Your Gutters

One of the most important things a home owner can do to the home is to make sure the gutters are free of dirt, sticks and leaves. Poor drainage can cause problems ranging from roof rot to cracks in the foundation. Clean the gutters by scooping out debris and clearing gutters and downspouts with a host and water. You may have to replace spikes to make certain gutters are tightly secured. Consider a gutter guard to help prevent debris from filling the gutters.

Downspouts

To clear downspouts, place the water hose in the down spout and give it a blast of water. Make certain it flows through and does not back up. Downspouts should carry the water away from your home and dump at least 10 feet away from the perimeter. If the downspout is dumping water too close to the foundation you can add an extension. Extensions can be purchased at your local hardware store.

Grading

There should be a slope of about 6 inches after the first four feet of your home's perimeter. Clean fill dirt is best for correcting the grading and building a slope around the house. Top soil is organic and will hold water against the foundation. For clean fill dirt contact a landscape supplier. After finishing the slope, top off with a layer of top soil and grass seed to help prevent erosion. Mulch or stone is another option.

Gardens

Be aware that gardens retain water. If located too close to the house water can seep into your walls. Be sure not to encase the gardens without leaving some room for water to run off or seep away. Place rocks at the downspouts so water does not run directly into the garden.

Landscaping

Keep trees trimmed so branches are at least 7 feet from the exterior surface of the building. This helps control insects and rodents. Vines can help open cracks. Shrubbery should be trimmed away from the sides of the house to permit sunlight to dry the earth adjacent to the foundation.

Water run off directed toward the house can be re-directed. If you have a large yard, consider terracing to slow down the flow of water. Water flowing from the neighboring hill may require more effort. For those houses located on the down slope, consider digging a trench to permit the water to flow around the house. Dig your trench in a V or U shape about 8 to 10 inches deep sloping down at the ends to make certain the water will drain. At the ends of the downward sides of the V dig a hole large enough for a 55 gallon drum with perforations to catch the water and permit it to seep into the earth. Line the trench with rocks, before putting in the 4 to 6 inch black tubing with perforations. Cover with rocks to the level of the grass or use fill dirt on top of the rocks before replacing the sod.