Reduce Humidity In Your Bathroom

Starting off your morning with a long, hot shower feels great, but the humidity you feel afterwards doesn’t so much. Although we can’t necessarily avoid humidity, we can work to reduce it. Here are a few tips to try out:

Turn on the fan
If you have an exhaust fan installed in the bathroom, use it! Bathroom fans were made to extract all the humidity out of your bathroom and draw it into your ductwork. And although they vary by power, even the lowest levels can help.

Crack the window
If you don’t have an exhaust fan, take advantage of your windows. Before you turn on the shower, crack open the window to circulate the air and leave it open until you’re ready to leave the house.

Keep the door open
It also helps to let dry air in your home in. So while you leave your windows open, be sure to leave the bathroom door open a smidge too.

Take quick showers
If you can lower the water temperature in your shower, you won’t feel as much humidity afterwards. It can also help to use a low flow shower head to reduce hot water and ultimately lower levels of humidity.

Bottom line is to keep humidity out! Not only is it bad for your bathroom walls and plumbing, but it can also affect your health. But in the event that you run into condensing pipes, we’re here to help!

Nassau County Plumbing and Sewer Rooter offers all of the plumbing, sewer and drain services you need to keep your home up and running perfectly. Call us today at 877.713.8136 for emergency services or visit our website for more information.

How to Reduce Allergens in the Bathroom

May is National Allergy/Asthma Awareness Month. Itching, sneezing, runny nose - there’s nothing more irritating than those pesky allergens that creep inside your home. One of biggest problem areas in the house? It may surprise you, but your bathroom is the number one spot. Why? Because moisture makes it easy for allergy-producing molds to build up. So take action and protect yourself from allergens with these five tips: 

Clean up. Wipe down surfaces daily, starting with sinks and countertops. Next, tidy up the shower. With all the humidity that accumulates after a hot shower, you’ll want to prevent mold from building up. A mildew-fighting spray or bleach solution can scrub away the growth of fungus in minutes.

Clear the air. Pollen, dust, and pet dander are three of the major allergy triggers that you definitely want to fight off. Indoor air circulation can blow these airborne allergens around the house, making you more irritable. Try an air cleaner with a HEPA filter to trap harmful particles in the air.

Reduce humidity. Combine a hot shower with poor ventilation and you have yourself a mold and mildew problem. Not only that, but moisture alone creates a “breeding ground” for allergens. To combat the issue, keep humidity 50 percent or less and toss your damp towel in the washer/dryer.

Remodel. There’s a number of strategies you can implement to reduce allergens in your bathroom with a simple remodeling plan. Replacing carpet with tile, wood, or vinyl can tame sneezing by eliminating dust and other allergens that stick. When looking for new decor, select washable rugs and clean them often. Do you have wallpaper? Rip it down for a coat of fresh paint to prevent mold growth.

Fix Leaks. A leaky pipe or toilet can cause water to seep into drywall and insulation, and damage your floors and walls. It’s important to keep up on bathroom maintenance to prevent potential problems that can bring on more allergy discomfort. Fix plumbing leaks before mold and mildew sneak up on you.

For more home improvement tips, turn to Nassau County Plumbing and Sewer Rooter. Need help fixing a leaky pipe? We provide leak detection and repair services across Long Island. Give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit our website for more information.

Reduce Humidity in Your Home

Although we love the summer heat, we don’t necessarily love the discomfort of humidity that comes along with it; and as New Yorkers, we know this all too well. While we can’t necessarily avoid the humidity outside, we can work to reduce it inside. Below are some tips to get you started.

 1. Ventilate. If you have a vent fan, use it. Make sure to turn them on when you take a shower or cook a meal and leave them on a little longer. “It only takes between four and six pints of water to raise the humidity level inside of 1,000 square feet from a mere 15% to 60%.” So whether you’re boiling water or bathing, be sure to pay close attention to the amount of humidity you feel.

2. Take quick showers. If you can lower the water temperature, that will help too. Using a low flow shower head will help to reduce hot water, ultimately lowering levels of humidity in the bathroom.

3. Cover pots and pans. Stove top cooking can produce excess moisture, so try to cover your food with lids while cooking to keep the air drier. Slow cookers also contribute to less indoor humidity, so take advantage of that!

4. Turn on the AC. When it’s not dry enough outside to crack open a window, run the AC to ensure you’re getting a proper level of dry air coming into the house. Although it may be a pricey solution, it will cost you your health in the long run.

5. Use a dehumidifier. It’s exactly what it sounds like! Dehumidifiers are great for maintaining your humidity if it’s become a big issue or if you live in an older home. Bathrooms without windows can especially benefit from them. To make sure the air is circulating properly, place away from walls and furniture.

Keep humidity out! Not only is it bad for your health, but it can also cause plumbing issues. When humidity in warmer air collects on cold surfaces like your pipes, you get condensation - not a good condition for your home. But don’t worry! If you run across any plumbing troubles, we’re here to help.

Nassau County Plumbing and Sewer Rooter offers all of the plumbing, sewer and drain services you need to keep your home up and running perfectly. Call us today at 877.713.8136 for emergency services or visit our website for more information.