I live in a 1920s brick rowhouse in Baltimore and we've been struggling with high humidity in my son's bedroom, especially during hot summer days. We've installed ductless mini splits three years ago, but the room still feels damp while the other two bedrooms are fine. My son has been experiencing a chronic cough that worsens in the summer. We've done environmental testing, sealed a crawlspace opening, and used a dehumidifier, but the humidity levels remain high—over 70% compared to 50% in the other rooms. We've had roof work done, and the previous owner had a leak that was possibly painted over. I'm at a loss for solutions and worried about my son's health. Anyone have suggestions?
3 Answers
It sounds tricky, but the humidity has to be coming from somewhere. You mentioned a crawl space—what's underneath the room? If it were me, I’d install a positive pressure ventilation system to help push out the humid air. It might also be time to start some demo to find the source since an old leak shouldn’t be causing issues now unless it’s been poorly fixed. Also, double-check for water pipes in the walls nearby that could be contributing to the humidity.
Have you tried using a dehumidifier specifically rated for larger spaces? If the one you have hasn’t made a dent, upgrading might make a difference. Also, it could be worth looking into your insulation situation, especially given your house's age. There might be some gaps or issues contributing to the humidity that aren’t immediately obvious.
You might want to consider using a thermal camera to check for hidden moisture sources. It can help identify leaks, insulation problems, and even ventilation issues. Sometimes it's the little things that we can't see that are causing big problems, so it might be worth the investment to get a clearer picture of what's happening in that room!
Thanks for the recommendations! The access to the crawl space is in my son’s closet, and it’s above all three bedrooms. We have steam radiant heat but haven’t used it in a while, and there aren’t any known pipes in that room, so I'm not sure what’s going on.