It is -16 celcius outside right now and overnight it is expected to go down to -23. It is the start of winter in Calgary.

This morning we woke up in our home to find our windows completely frosted over with ice and condensation. The source, drying mudding from drywall work in our basement, resulted in much higher than normal humidity levels.  After a few hours of cleaning, a trip to the store to buy a dehumidifier was in order.

 

If you find your windows regularly do this in cold weather, some investigation is required to keep your home healthy and to avoid potentially costly repairs. During  home inspections, I've often heard inspectors note water damage to window frames and surrounding drywall. Often this may have been caused by humidity rather than a leaking window. The danger of high humidity is also that mould can result.

If the cause is a humidifier set too high or too many plants in a particular area, that is easy to fix, but it may also be an indicator of water issues in your home.

 

CMHC provides some great information on Measuring Humidity in your Home.   Check it out and hopefully some info keeps you and your home healthier this winter.