Madison Gas & Electric
your community energy company
MONTHLY COLUMN
your community energy company
MONTHLY COLUMN
| CALL: 252-7117 |
What can I do about moisture problems in my home?
If summertime humidity in your basement is 60% or higher:
• Molds and mildew grow easily.
• Moisture wicking through a concrete basement floor can be trapped in
carpeting, resulting in much higher humidity levels than in the air, allowing mold
growth at even lower air humidity.
To reduce humidity during the summer months:
• Reduce any sources of moisture.
• Close off the basement to moist, outside air.
• Use a dehumidifier to bring the humidity down to 50% or less. An
inexpensive humidity gauge from a hardware store can help you adjust your
dehumidifier to the proper setting.
• For severe humidity problems, consider buying a large-capacity, high-
efficiency dehumidifier.
• Make sure gutters and downspouts carry water away from the foundation
and soil is sloped away from the foundation.
• Use vent fans during and after bathing and cooking.
• Dry clothes outside or in a clothes dryer vented to the outside.
• Do not dry clothes on an indoor clothesline.
• Put plastic over bare soil in crawl spaces.
For more information
Dehumidifiers and Humidifiers brochure [PDF - 728 KB]
If summertime humidity in your basement is 60% or higher:
• Molds and mildew grow easily.
• Moisture wicking through a concrete basement floor can be trapped in
carpeting, resulting in much higher humidity levels than in the air, allowing mold
growth at even lower air humidity.
To reduce humidity during the summer months:
• Reduce any sources of moisture.
• Close off the basement to moist, outside air.
• Use a dehumidifier to bring the humidity down to 50% or less. An
inexpensive humidity gauge from a hardware store can help you adjust your
dehumidifier to the proper setting.
• For severe humidity problems, consider buying a large-capacity, high-
efficiency dehumidifier.
• Make sure gutters and downspouts carry water away from the foundation
and soil is sloped away from the foundation.
• Use vent fans during and after bathing and cooking.
• Dry clothes outside or in a clothes dryer vented to the outside.
• Do not dry clothes on an indoor clothesline.
• Put plastic over bare soil in crawl spaces.
For more information
Dehumidifiers and Humidifiers brochure [PDF - 728 KB]