Concerned about damp walls in your house? Moisture can accumulate in your home, leaving walls as sweaty as the winner of the Boston Marathon. Wall deodorant isn’t a thing, but we have solutions for moisture on walls.

This May Also Interest You: How to Stop Condensation in the Attic

If you suspect your walls are sweating from condensation or humidity problems, we’ll explain why interior wall condensation occurs and how you can prevent sweating walls.

Is It Normal to Have Moisture on Your Walls?

If your walls are sweating, condensation is typically the culprit. Think about how an ice-cold glass of lemonade or tea sweats on a hot summer day. A similar process occurs when warm, humid air combines with the cool surface of your walls or ceiling.

The water in your air becomes wall condensation when it can’t evaporate. Cold air has less space to retain water than warm air, so moisture quickly turns into water droplets. This can cause wall condensation problems in your home.

Why Your Walls Are Sweating

Moisture on walls often stems from high indoor humidity. Insulation issues, ventilation problems and temperature spikes can all play a role. Here’s a quick description of why these factors could be causing sweaty walls in your home.

High Indoor Humidity

Taking hot baths and showers, running the dryer or preparing your favorite recipe can increase humidity in your home. Even breathing can increase humidity levels — but don’t worry, you don’t have to hold your breath. Ensure your home has adequate ventilation, and run a fan when you shower or cook.

Insulation Issues

Poorly insulated walls are humidity magnets, so replace or add drywall behind walls that frequently trap moisture. You should also seal gaps or holes around doors, windows and baseboards. Installing double- or triple-pane windows may also help fend off excess humidity.

Ventilation Problems

Poor ventilation makes it difficult for your home to release extra humidity. Keep air moving with ceiling or box fans, and open doors or windows on a cool day. Trickle vents and air bricks can also improve airflow.

Your heating and cooling system may also need attention. An HVAC tech can check for ventilation problems and offer personalized solutions.

Temperature Spikes

Drastic indoor temperature changes can cause condensation buildup or humidity on walls. Don’t blast the AC if you come home to a sweltering home, and don’t run the heat at full force if it’s freezing inside. Slowly cool or heat your home to prevent excess humidity.

Using a programmable thermostat can help prevent temperature spikes. Also, avoid placing furniture or large toys directly against walls, as these can trap moisture.

How to Fix Walls Sweating From Condensation

After identifying the cause of your home’s sweating walls, you can take steps to prevent humidity on the walls. Basically, you must decrease humidity, improve ventilation and address insulation problems. The treatment you choose for walls sweating from condensation depends on the culprit.

Here are some ways you can reduce moisture on walls:

• Install ceiling fans in each room, and take advantage of your stovetop and bathroom fans.
• Ask a professional if you could benefit from air bricks or trickle vents.
• Use a smart or programmable thermostat to keep temperatures consistent and cool or heat your home slowly.
• Address insulation issues, such as doorway gaps, broken windows, missing drywall or broken baseboards.
• Schedule regular maintenance appointments for your HVAC system and ductwork so you can identify leaks quickly.
• Ask an HVAC professional if your home needs a dehumidifier to keep moisture levels low.
• Many wall condensation problems are treatable with a few simple home upgrades or lifestyle changes.

More Related Articles:

• How Much Does It Cost to Remodel a Bathroom?
• How Much Value Does a Kitchen Remodel Add Value to Your Home?
• How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost?
• Should You Remodel or Move? Here’s How to Decide
• 5 Finished Basement Ideas for Your Home

Prevention Tips for Interior Wall Condensation

Humidity can enter your home through gaps in doors, windows, baseboards, flooring and roofing. Poor ventilation also plays a strong role, so have a professional ensure your home’s ventilation system is in good condition. You may need new ductwork or vents if you have ventilation problems, especially if you have an older home. Make sure your home has adequate insulation, such as drywall or fiberglass behind the walls.

Keep an eye on indoor humidity levels. Otherwise, you may end up with moldy walls, flaking paint or peeling wallpaper. Excess moisture can also damage your home’s frame, resulting in costly damage. Seek professional assistance if your home has insulation, ventilation or humidity problems.

For a lot of people, the winter months can bring cold air both outside and in. Setting the thermostat can become a battle between those who want warmth and those who are looking to be energy efficient (or, let’s be honest, those who want to save some money).

This May Also Interest You: HVAC Terms Every Homeowner Should Know

But there is a range of temperatures that can make everyone in the house happy.

Cold Climate Considerations

When winter sets in, and temperatures plummet, maintaining a comfortable indoor environment becomes essential. If you live in a cold climate, the recommended indoor temperature during winter is typically between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. This range strikes a balance between comfort and energy efficiency.

Comfort and Health

Maintaining a temperature of 68 to 72 degrees ensures a comfortable living space without excessive heating costs. This range is generally comfortable for most people, allowing you to perform daily activities without feeling cold.

Energy Efficiency

Heating accounts for a significant portion of energy consumption in cold climates. By keeping your thermostat within the 68- to 72-degree range, you can manage heating costs more effectively. Every degree above this range can increase your heating bill by approximately 3%, which adds up over a long winter.

For those seeking further efficiency, consider setting the temperature slightly lower (around 65 degrees) at times while you’re sleeping or away from home, and using a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust the temperature based on your schedule.

Preventing Damage

Maintaining adequate indoor temperatures also prevents damage to your home. Extremely low indoor temperatures can cause pipes to freeze and burst, leading to costly repairs. By keeping the temperature at a safe level, you ensure that your plumbing and other infrastructure remain intact during the harsh winter months.

Warm or Temperate Climate Considerations

In warmer or more temperate climates, the approach to winter heating differs significantly. While heating is still necessary during the cooler months, the required indoor temperature is often lower than in colder climates. For these regions, an indoor temperature of 67 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit is generally recommended.

Energy Conservation

In temperate climates, winters are milder, and thus, the need for extensive heating is reduced. Keeping the indoor temperature at 67 to 70 degrees balances comfort with energy conservation. This range minimizes heating costs while still providing a cozy environment. Additionally, since the outdoor temperatures are not as extreme, the heat loss from your home is lower, making it easier to maintain this temperature range without excessive energy use.

Adapting to Milder Winters

Residents in warmer climates are often more accustomed to higher temperatures year-round. As a result, they might find a slightly cooler indoor temperature that is more comfortable compared to those in colder climates. A thermostat setting of 67 to 70 degrees can feel pleasantly warm for individuals used to milder winters, without the need for heavy winter clothing indoors.

Humidity Control

In warmer climates, maintaining indoor humidity levels is crucial during winter. Heating can cause indoor air to become dry, leading to discomfort and potential health issues such as dry skin and respiratory problems. Using a humidifier alongside your heating system can help maintain a balanced indoor environment, ensuring both temperature and humidity levels are optimal for comfort and health.

More Related Articles:

• How to Winterize a House: Your No-Chill Checklist
• Bundle Up: How to Prepare Your HVAC System For Winter
• Replacing Your HVAC Filter Is a Breeze! Follow These 7 Steps …
• Is an HVAC Tune-Up Worth the Price? (Yes, Yes It Is)
• HVAC System Stop Working? Try These Troubleshooting Tips Before You Call for Service

Tips for Winter Heating

Regardless of your climate, there are several strategies you can employ to optimize your home’s heating efficiency during winter:

Insulation

Be sure your home is well-insulated to prevent heat loss. Proper insulation in walls, attics, and floors keeps warm air in and cold air out, reducing the need for excessive heating.

Weatherstripping

Seal any gaps around windows and doors with weatherstripping to prevent drafts. This simple step can dramatically improve your home’s ability to retain heat.

Curtains and Blinds

Use heavy curtains or thermal blinds to put an extra layer of insulation between you and the outside environment. Open them during sunny days to let natural warmth in, and close them at night to keep the heat inside.

Regular Maintenance

Keep your heating system well-maintained to allow it to operate efficiently. Regularly change filters and schedule annual inspections to keep your system running smoothly.

Find Your Home Temperature Sweet Spot

Before the winter months arrive, make sure your home is ready for that cold air outside. And by staying in the suggested temperature range, you can stay warm while also limiting the heating bill.

There I was, minding my own business, washing the dishes after dinner like I always do. Just moments into scrubbing and rinsing the frying pan, I noticed that the water wasn’t draining from the sink. I checked to see if anything was blocking the drain opening – nothing. I switched on the garbage disposal, but that was only a temporary fix. As I continued washing dishes, the drainage was only getting slower. With a clogged sink on my hands, my after-dinner cleanup was about to get more intense.

I’m sure I’m not the only one to experience the inconvenience of clogged drains. Clogged kitchen sinks are among the most common drainage issues to plague homeowners, largely because food debris and soap residue are nightmares for smooth draining. Thankfully, clogged drains are also one of the easiest home repairs to make on your own. However, before you roll up your sleeves and get into the do-it-yourself spirit, make sure you’re aware of the plumbing myths that could lead you astray.

When it comes to the kitchen sink, for instance, don’t think Drano and other chemical-based drain cleaners are the easy, go-to fix. The chemicals can sometimes cause more damage to your system, even if the clog seems fixed initially. Plus, backsplash from stubborn blockages could seriously harm your skin and eyes. You can avoid these catastrophes with other clog repair methods, some using common household items and others requiring some straightforward plunger or plumber’s snake action.

Don’t call the plumber yet! There’s a good chance you can fix the problem yourself with one of these six methods to unclog a kitchen sink:

How to Unclog a Stopped-Up Sink

1. Attack With Boiling Water

When hair, grease, soap residue and other debris get stuck in your drain, boiling water may be all your pipes needs to loosen the blockage. It’s the simplest fix, which means it should be your first move when trying to unclog a sink.Easy as 1-2-3, here are the steps to follow:

• Bring half a gallon of water to a boil on your stove or use a kettle to heat the water.
• Pour the boiling water directly into the drain opening.
• Turn on the faucet to see if the water drains in a steady fashion. If it’s still draining slowly or standing still in the sink, repeat the process.

Important note: Don’t try this method if your drain is attached to PVC pipes, as the boiling water could melt or damage the plastic.If the boiling water fails to dislodge the clog after the second try, it’s time to move on to another method. Unfortunately, you have yourself a sink clog that’s too stubborn for the simple boiling water approach.

2. Check the Garbage Disposal

If your sink has a garbage disposal, it could be the culprit of your drainage issues. If the clog is in the disposal, turning it on will usually break up the blockage. Overheated or dysfunctional disposals may not even turn on, but you can activate the reset switch at the side or bottom of the unit for an easy reboot. After resetting the disposal, try turning it on again to clear the clog. If you turn on the disposal and hear a low humming sound, the unit could be jammed or broken. Before doing anything to fix your disposal, remember to disconnect the power to the unit and never — and we mean never — stick your hand in the disposal. From there, you can try to break up the clog in the disposal by turning the blades manually. You can do that by inserting an Allen wrench into the hole on the bottom of the disposal, and twisting until you feel less resistance, meaning the blockage is beginning to break up. If that doesn’t work, follow these tips to unclog your garbage disposal. Once unclogged, turn the power back on and test the disposal. If all looks and sounds good, turn the faucet to see if the sink drainage is back to normal.Keep in mind that your garbage disposal inspection may not reveal any clogs or issues, in which case you can skip straight to a different unclogging method.

3. Try Using a Plunger

Once you establish that the disposal isn’t the problem, it’s time to bring out the plunger. But keep in mind: While you can use the toilet plunger if it’s all you have on hand, Dengarden suggested using a flat-bottomed one for the job. With your plunger at the ready, follow these steps:

• Fill the sink with hot water until it’s about halfway full and creates a seal around the drain.
• Position the plunger over the drain and begin pumping up and down quickly several times.
• Remove the plunger and wait to see if the water drains.
• Repeat the process until the water drains freely.

If the sink still isn’t draining properly after multiple plunging attempts, you know the drill. Time to try a different method.

4. Break It Down With Baking Soda and Vinegar

This approach is a natural alternative to using chemical drain cleaners on clogged drains. Much to your convenience, baking soda and vinegar are also common household items that you’re likely to already have in your kitchen, and the chemical reaction they cause can help get things flowing. Follow these steps to let the mixture work its magic:

• Remove standing water from the sink with a cup or bowl.
• Pour one cup of baking soda down the drain, using a spatula or spoon to push the powder down the drain if necessary.
• Pour one cup of white vinegar down the drain opening.
• Place a stopper or cover on the drain to seal the opening.
• Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes.
• Remove the cover and run hot tap water down the drain.
• Use boiling water to break up more intense clogs.

As with any unclogging method, this baking soda and vinegar alternative doesn’t have a 100% success rate. However, if it seems like you’re making progress on the clog after completing the steps, repeat the process with another chemical reaction to double down on the blockage.

5. Snake the Drain

The clogs that put up a fight will require the strength of a plumber’s snake to battle the blockage. The tool has a coiled spiral snake that reaches down into the drain. Once the snake hits an obstruction, you can crank the handle to dislodge the debris and pull it out of the drain. Electric snakes pack even more power to tackle clogged drains.If you don’t have a plumber’s snake, you can create a makeshift one with a wire coat hanger. Simply use a pair of needle-nose pliers to unwind the hanger into a long piece of wire. Keep the hooked end, as this is what you’ll use to grab onto the debris. If necessary, you can use the pliers to adjust the angle of the hook so that it can easily fit through the drain opening.No matter which tool you’re using, simply feed it down the drain a few feet at a time. Try not to push too roughly, as you might accidentally push the clog further down the pipe. When you feel the tip of your tool hit an obstruction, hook it on and pull the debris up through the drain. Keep doing this until you feel confident that the blockage is gone. Run hot water down the drain to see if you’re right.

6. Clean the P-Trap

If the water is still not draining correctly, there might be a blockage in the P-trap, aka the elbow-shaped pipe under your sink. Food, grease and other debris may be stuck in the pipe, causing your sink to drain slowly or not at all because the water hits a snag on its way down.The fix is disassembling the pipe to clean out the gunk that’s causing the blockage. Warning: This task can get a little messy, so you might want to prepare yourself with gloves, goggles and towels. When you’re ready, follow these steps to clean the P-trap:

• Place a bucket underneath the pipe. This will catch any backed up water or debris that may fall out when you open the P-trap.
• Unscrew the connectors on the trap that hold the curved piece to the vertical and horizontal drain pipe. There should be a slip nut on either end of the P-trap.
• Remove the P-trap and clean the pipe of all debris, grime and residue.
• Reconnect the trap.
• Turn on the faucet to run water down the drain.

If the drainage situation is still not up to par, the clog may be farther up the pipe. Back under the sink you go to find the source of the blockage. Here’s what to do when you get there:

• Repeat the steps to remove the P-trap.
• Remove the horizontal pipe that connects the system to the wall.
• Feed a plumber’s snake, auger or coat hanger into the wall pipe. When you feel an obstruction, use your tool to pull the blockage out from the pipe.
• Repeat the process until you remove all debris.
• Reassemble the pipes and P-trap, tightening the connectors by hand. (Pro tip from Home Depot:Do not over-tighten, as this may cause the connectors to crack.)
• Run hot water to flush the drain.

Before you celebrate your handiwork, check under the sink while the water’s running to make sure there isn’t any leaking from the pipes. If you do notice leaks, make sure all the connectors are tightened. Once you’re free from the drips, dry any water spillage from under the sink or on the floor and you’re good to go.If you’ve made it to this point and your sink still isn’t draining, there could be a larger issue at play. It’s time to give in and schedule an appointment with a plumber for a professional fix.

How to Prevent Future Clogs

Now that your kitchen sink is draining properly again, make sure you’re taking measures to prevent clogs from coming back. The most important preventative measure is refraining from disposing of harmful items down the drain. That includes:

• Grease, fats and oils
• Meat
• Coffee grounds
• Egg shells
• Starchy foods, such as pasta, rice or bread
• Fruit peels, pits and stickers
• Gum
• Paint
• Paper products, such as paper towels or food wrappers

Instead, pour cooking grease in an old can and dispose of the container once it’s full. You can add certain waste, including coffee grounds, to mulch or compost piles.The Home Depot also advised homeowners not to overload the garbage disposal. Try not to grind more than one cup of food waste at a time, and, of course, avoid sending any of the above items to the disposal. Another pro maintenance tip: Create an equal solution of vinegar and water, and freeze the mixture in an ice cube tray. About once a month, grind a few of the cubes down your disposal to scrape away food-waste buildup and keep the unit fresh. Here are more garbage disposal do’s and don’ts to keep your drains clean and clear.Another good habit for your pipes sake is running hot water down the drain after each sink use to keep everything clear. You might also want to use a drain cover to catch debris before they cause damage in the pipes.