Why Is Controlling Indoor Pool Humidity Important?
An indoor pool is among the ultimate luxuries within a home. The convenience of close proximity combined with readily-available use makes for an enjoyable home addition. However, along with the benefits of an indoor pool come unique upkeep obstacles, like controlling the levels of indoor humidity.
To help homeowners remediate the negative effects of indoor pool humidity on their residential structures, LIBERTYAIR details why it is important to control indoor pool humidity and how an HVAC company can help. For more information or to schedule services, contact us today.
Common Signs Of High Indoor Pool Humidity
Monitoring the area around your pool and the rest of your property is key to preventing the development of mold, mildew, and structural damage due to excessive moisture — a relative humidity level of 50 percent to 60 percent is recommended to avoid high-moisture issues. The following includes common signs of high humidity.
- Rapid decay or corrosion of hardware and room surfaces
- A drain line blockage, which indicates an overflowing condensate drain pan
- Visible condensation on the exterior walls, ceilings, and windows
- Presence of mold on any surface within the pool room or the home
What Causes Indoor Pool Humidity?
Humidity is a mixture of air and water vapor — when air which contains humidity cools to a dew point, the water vapor becomes condensed out. According to experts with our HVAC company in Gainesville, excessive humidity within indoor pools usually stems from choices of pool construction and materials, building design techniques, and ventilation issues. In an enclosed environment such as an indoor pool, the following factors may also contribute to high humidity.
Improper Construction & Materials
Indoor pool enclosures with vapor barriers that are either damaged or not included within the space can cause harmful moisture to accumulate within the walls of the structure. To avoid structural damage from moisture and mold, ensure the required moisture barriers are in place.
Inadequate Ventilation
To avoid condensation and to keep the indoor air above the dew point, conditioned air must be delivered to any exterior windows through air ducts and vents. To ensure high indoor air quality (IAQ), the HVAC system must also circulate cooled air to lower levels, or the breathing zone.
Lack Of Dehumidification
Relying on outdoor air and exhaust fans for dehumidification is not an option for Florida residents with indoor pools. Our HVAC technicians can help you choose an indoor pool dehumidifier for control over the humidity levels within your enclosure.
Consequences Of Indoor Pool Humidity
Indoor swimming pools demand persistent monitoring with regard to the constant challenge of humidity control. While the pool service technician may help provide expert assistance with the maintenance of pool chemistry, pool cleaning, and pool filtration on a regular basis, swimming pool service technicians likely do not have the qualifications and certifications required to efficiently monitor humidity levels and effectively remediate excessive humidity in indoor pools.
Should indoor pool humidity rise to a high degree, it may serve as a source of discomfort to swimmers; pose health problems related to mold, mildew, and poor air quality; and it can also deteriorate the surrounding structures. Environments with high levels of humidity commonly contain as a result airborne allergens, mold particles, and surface mold — mold is proven to cause of a wide range of health issues, from headaches to severe respiratory conditions.
How To Control Indoor Humidity
Even if homeowners already have dehumidification systems and humidity monitors in place to combat excessive moisture within indoor pools and throughout the home, high-humidity related problems may still be lurking nearby. Pool dehumidifiers are highly specialized systems which require planned HVAC maintenance on a bi-annual or annual basis from a trusted HVAC company to maintain proper humidity levels, prevent the growth of mold, and ensure the dehumidifier and the HVAC system function optimally. The most effective way to ensure the safety of your home, your family, and your indoor pool is to consult LIBERTYAIR — call us for more information about in-duct air purifiers to maintain high-quality indoor air throughout your home.