There are all sorts of causes for dampness in your home. One of the most common – and easiest to prevent – is condensation, which occurs when trapped water vapor and moisture come into contact with surfaces like your windows or walls.

The best way to cut off condensation in its tracks? Improve your home’s ventilation and circulation. Here are four easy ventilation ideas that will help keep your home dry and comfortable:

Install Exhaust Fans

The single best way to ensure proper ventilation throughout your home is to have a fan and exhaust system in place, particularly in smoky or steamy rooms, like your kitchen and bathroom.

Proper ventilation prevents mold and mildew by speeding up the drying process, protecting your mirrors, walls, ceilings, and treatments from steam and moisture. And the benefits don’t just stop with defeating the damp; installing an exhaust system will also help keep your air clean and purified, clear away the smell of food or garbage, and safely help suck away fumes from paint or cleaners.

Avoid Steamy Bathroom Problems

We use gallons of water in our bathrooms every single day, so it’s no surprise that these rooms are often damp and plagued by condensation issues, from black mold to grungy shower curtains to sweaty toilets. Fortunately, there are plenty of small steps you can take to help keep your bathroom well-ventilated and dry.

For bathrooms without built-in fan systems, try putting in a regular window or box fan to help clear away as much steam as possible. Also, be sure to provide other ways for steam to escape, by cracking a window or leaving the bathroom door ajar during your steamy showers.

Invest in a Dehumidifier

For places where the humidity can be hard to control, like garages or basements, a standalone dehumidifier can be a sensible ventilation option, helping to capture and remove excess moisture from the air in the room, typically by means of a fan and cooling coils. Be sure to read the directions on your particular unit to know when to empty the dehumidifier’s water reservoir.

Take Little Steps Every Day

Worried about your budget, or feel trapped in by an old home’s systems? The good news is that there are plenty of little steps you can take every day to both improve your home’s ventilation and generally cut back on moisture. Try clearing your window sills of clutter in order to facilitate better ventilation. You can also improve air circulation in your cupboards and pantries by avoiding overfilling, and keep moisture from entering the air by covering all of your pots and pans when cooking. Another option? Try stabilizing your home’s temperature with proper HVAC care and maintenance.

If you can’t get a handle on moisture and humidity in your home, we’re here to help! Whether the source of your trouble is your plumbing or your HVAC, our talented team is here and ready to help get your systems back on track. Drop us a line, day or night, to get started.