How Moisture Affects New Construction Homes

How much moisture should be in your new construction home, and how will cold weather impact moisture levels? Let’s find out.

Cold weather has a few distinct effects on new construction homes.

With any new home, you will have excess moisture because of all the building components that went into your property.

As you turn on your heat when colder weather arrives, this moisture becomes airborne. You can monitor your moisture levels with a hydrometer. The most important thing is to know where your moisture content is at in your home.

Some people think more moisture is better and are tempted to run a humidifier, but generally speaking, we don’t recommend running a humidifier within your first year or two of owning your new home. With so much moisture already in your home, it just isn’t a good idea.

Typically, it is best to have a moisture content of between 40% and 55%. Wood floors will contribute to a higher moisture content.

Some tell-tale signs that your home is beginning to dry out include cracking trim or trim becoming separated from the walls. This is the point when you may want to set up a humidifier. In the spring and summer, though, you may want to use a dehumidifier.

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It’s very important to know the moisture content of your new construction home.

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As moisture evaporates out of your materials during the winter months, you may begin to see condensation on the windows, since they are a colder surface than the walls.

It is perfectly normal to live in a brand-new home and still see condensation. Whether you have top-of-the-line or bottom-of-the-line windows, it doesn’t matter. It all depends on the level of moisture in the home.

Running bath fans after bathing or even while you’re bathing or showering is a good idea. It will help take the extra moisture you’re putting into the air and vacate it to the exterior of the home. If you don’t run bath fans while bathing or showering, it will increase the condensation in your home

As your home starts to dry out, you will experience some floor popping, but this is also normal. It’s all part of the weathering of the home.

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

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