Expert: Dave Johnson - 9/8/2008

Question
QUESTION: I have a colonial. downstairs was completely tiled.  We re-tiled the whole downstairs(porcelain) and put a new kitchen in and a very large window.  We also put an addition on the side of our house for mom ground level and that also is completely tiled.  now on humid days, on my side the floors are soaking wet as is the fridge and sometimes the granite countertop, yet the addition side is perfect.  Who should I go to, to find out how to solve this problem?

ANSWER: christine,
when humidity is high, the moisture collects on non-porous surfaces that are cooler than the air and that is called the "dew point"
you could be using an air conditioner set too low.
your cellar could have excess moisture (green firewood, poor drainage etc)
you may need a de-humidifier, but first need to find out where the excess moisture is coming from.
please mail me back with any more info i.e. crawl space/foundation/heat source etc.
dave

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: There is 1/4 basement at best its just a real small finished room.  the house is thirty years old and was already tiled for the last thirty so I dont understand what is different, why the sudden change. I know an air conditioner would help on those sticky days, but there was never an  air conditioner used before, and on those sticky days (before my renovation) nothing like this happened.  My question is,  Who or what kind of expert do I need to ask about my excess moisture problem?

Answer
Hi again,
I wish I could be there, I think if I could look and ask at the same time it would be revealed.
Anyway, ask the contractor (if there was one ) to come back and see if he can help figure it out. If not, see if there is a heating/cooling professional locally. They usually are helpful.
Sorry I haven't been more of a help.
Best of luck,
Dave