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When you have a tight deadline and budget for a construction project, humidity is one of your worst enemies. It prolongs drying and curing times and can have significant effects on the quality of a finished project. As you plan out and work on a project, you must consider the weather and ambient temperatures, as both affect relative humidity levels. To ensure the timely completion and successful results of a job, contractors look to construction site humidity control to prevent moisture-related problems.

Damp structures, whether they’re in the construction phases or already complete, are unhealthy structures as moisture leads to mold growth. In some cases, a new building might have mold growth that occurred before or during construction, which can create serious, ongoing problems. Without proper humidity control for construction drying, the moisture content within a building might exceed industry specifications, resulting in delays and significant losses.

Concrete is one of the most common building materials used in new construction, particularly for flooring. The material constantly interacts with the environment around it, so influences such as temperature and humidity affect the moisture levels within it. Just as water is a vital ingredient when mixing concrete, excessive amounts of it can create numerous problems. The most common sources of excess moisture in concrete are free water—too much water in the concrete mixture—and moisture rising from below a slab. Because of the costly issues that may result from excess moisture in concrete construction, humidity control is an essential preventive and corrective measure.

Measuring twice and cutting once sometimes isn’t enough when installing millwork. Wood is hygroscopic, expanding as relative humidity levels increase and contracting when it loses moisture. Professionals refer to the relationship between wood and humidity as equilibrium moisture content (EMC). Construction drying solutions prevent EMC changes, allowing you install millwork without the risk of bowing, splitting or gap formations.