Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, April 7, 1991                   TAG: 9104060056
SECTION: A GUIDE TO BETTER HOMES                    PAGE: 19   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Virginia Cooperative Extension
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

TOO MUCH MOISTURE IN HOUSE MAKES MORE WORK FOR OWNERS

"Mildew or musty odors can cause problems in a house and make it just a little uncomfortable," said Virginia Cooperative Extension Specialist Kathleen Parrott.

Mildew is one of the most common problems caused by moisture in a house, and the most successful approach to preventing it is removing the source or drying the air.

The faster you act once you've seen the first touch of mildew, the greater your chances of successfully removing it, said Janice Woodard, also a Virginia Tech Extension specialist.

To remove mildew from interior painted surfaces, clean them with a weak solution of liquid chlorine bleach and water, mixed at about 3/4 cup bleach to a gallon of water. Rinse and thoroughly dry the area.

For bathroom surfaces, scrub with a diluted solution of liquid chlorine bleach - about half a cup of bleach to a gallon of water.

Spray and aerosol products for cleaning and sanitizing bathroom areas also are available. Use them according to directions on the container.

Some preventive measures also help, Woodard said.

"You can improve the ventilation in closets by leaving the doors stand open or by using louvered doors. "Hang garments loosely so that air can circulate. Be sure the clothing is dry before putting it in the closet," she said.

Keep an electric light on if it is in a safe place far enough from clothing and other flammables to avoid danger of fire.

Keep places where mildew is likely to grow as clean as possible.

"Soil on articles supplies sufficient food for mildew to grow when moisture and temperature are right. Greasy films on kitchen and bathroom walls have many nutrients for the mildew," said Woodard.

Parrott added that a dehumidifier helps, especially in areas that are below ground level.

In basements, dampness is often caused by condensation of warm, moist air on cooler interior walls and floors. If the insulation isn't enough to balance the temperature, condensation occurs. Heating the area helps during cold weather and a dehumidifier helps in warm weather.

In homes that are tightly constructed for energy efficiency, the natural moisture caused by people living in the house, cannot get out. The wall cavity is the natural place for moisture to condense, causing damage in that space.

Older houses have more air leaks for the moisture to move out. Newer homes have vapor barriers included in the wall construction so that the moisture doesn't get in the cavity.

"It is difficult to tell if you have a real problem," Parrott said. "If there is moisture condensation on windows and on the outside of siding, or if the siding is bowed or shows mildew, or if exterior paint is rippled or blistered, there may be problems.

If the house has severe moisture problems, one solution is to purchase a heat-recovery ventilator, also called an air-to-air heat exchanger.

The ventilator or exchanger brings fresh air into a house but allows it to warm slightly by running it past tubes of the warm inside air.