15 July Don’t Sweat It: Controlling Humidity in Your Commercial Building July 15, 2020 By sma Property Maintenance, Property Management commercial hvac, commercial real estate tenants 0 DON'T SWEAT IT: CONTROLLING HUMIDITY IN YOUR COMMERCIAL BUILDING July 15, 2020 | Property Maintenance, Property Management | commercial hvac, commercial real estate tenants Summer’s high temperatures are often accompanied by high levels of humidity. If your commercial building isn’t configured properly, this muggy feeling could linger inside, no matter how low tenants set the air conditioner. And the problems humidity brings extend much further than the all-important issue of tenant and guest discomfort: high levels of condensation in your building can lead to costly ongoing maintenance headaches. Here’s how you can go about identifying and addressing any commercial humidity issues before they get out of hand. Climate Comfortability Is a Top Priority for Guest and Tenant Satisfaction We can’t stress this enough: people go indoors to escape the heat and humidity. Climate comfortability consistently ranks among tenants’ top priorities and top dealbreakers. If your building can’t offer a reprieve from long, hot summer days, guests will spend less time and money there, and tenants will be less likely to renew their lease or refer your property to others. Needless to say, fixing any indoor humidity issues should be at the top of your to-do list—your reputation as a building owner or property manager could depend on it. High Humidity Is a Top Culprit for Water Damage When you think of water damage to a property, the first thing that comes to mind may be a severe leak and “flash flood”-style scenario in the basement. Water damage that occurs over time thanks to humidity is far more common, and unfortunately, far more insidious. This is because the damage is cumulative, and signs may be difficult to spot till problems get out of hand. Signs of a building with high humidity may include: A musty or mildew-y odor Water droplets on pipes Small pools of water on the floor from slow ceiling drips Discoloration on the walls and ceiling An influx of insects and vermin Complaints of asthma or allergy flare-ups from tenants Visible mold on the walls and ceilings Troubleshooting Commercial Building Humidity Check your air conditioner. When identifying a humidity issue, your building’s HVAC system is the first place you should look. Small breaks or cracks in any one component can cause your entire system to be inefficient. You may find out the issue is as simple as cleaning out your vents and filters and won’t need to overhaul your entire system. Installs more vents and fans. Lack of proper airflow is another top cause of humidity in commercial buildings. While using a box fan can provide some relief, they aren’t powerful enough to fully solve humidity problems. Plus, they present tripping hazards and can look unprofessional. Overhead vents and fans will be able to handle a heavier workload for larger spaces, and keep bigger groups cool. Reinforce building seals. Fans can only do so much if the air is escaping outside. A thermographic scan of your building will be able to detect exactly where and how much air is leaking from your building. . Windows and doors are the top two spots, but your walls can be another source. Simply caulking and insulating your building will not only cut down on the humidity, but could also save on your electric bill. Invest in commercial dehumidifiers. Small dehumidifiers spaced throughout a building can provide temporary relief, but like box fans, they won’t be powerful enough for the long haul. A commercial-grade dehumidifier with a pump will pull water from the air and shut off when its receptacle is full, much like a household dehumidifier. The difference is that commercial-grade models work for large spaces and can handle a much larger amount of moisture before shutting off. Call National Property Inspections to Identify Commercial Building Issues Today The best way to detect humidity issues in your commercial building is to schedule an annual property inspection with your local NPI inspector. Our trained inspectors have experience inspecting all types of commercial properties and will be able to identify, report and review maintenance concerns. Book your inspection today! Call 800-333-9807 ex 30. Comments are closed.