Tiny homes can be a great option for Wisconsin first time homeowners, part time snowbirds, and lakeside cabins. With a compact footprint, they help you focus on what is important– family, friends and the outdoors. While they have some traits in common with older style mobile homes, the new designs are next level for efficiency.
However, both mobile homes and tiny homes are especially susceptible to water damage from leaks. These small, compact units also need proper insulation to keep out the cold. However, really well insulated homes might hold in moisture as well as heat. A leak in a tiny home can spread and ruin your dream. Allow the water damage restoration experts at TRAC Solutions to help you maintain or restore your perfect little home.
Always check the ceiling for the first signs of roof damage. Over time, the seals and flashing on the ceiling can deteriorate, providing an opportunity for water to penetrate. If you have gutters on your tiny home, keep them flowing freely. Dirty gutters can cause windows to leak and lead to costly water damage restoration.
Placing windows in tiny homes reduces the amount of wall storage you can put into the tiny home. One way many people get around this is to put their windows up high. Clerestory windows can be placed in areas that you wouldn’t normally store heavy items so they won’t hurt your storage quite as much. When possible, our water damage restoration experts recommend you upgrade. Double-pane windows will have less condensation form on them.
Modern skylights are less prone to leaks than older versions, but proper installation and maintenance are critical
An air conditioning system that is too large will actually end up creating excess moisture. Evaporation units (or swamp coolers) will create moisture problems. In contrast, a properly sized AC system will draw moisture out of the air on hot and humid summer days. Some tiny homes are large enough to justify mini-splits, some only need a window unit. Another option is a small RV AC ceiling unit for very small homes.
Some propane heaters will add moisture to the air; you’ll need to open a window when using them. Electric heaters dry the air out; you might need to run humidifiers and add moisture to balance the air.
A standard dehumidifier will work to suck moisture out of the air but they can take up quite a bit of space and power. Another problem with dehumidifiers is that they put off a lot of heat in the summer months.
Always vent during cooking, laundry and showers; use exhaust fans or open windows. In addition to your ventilation fans, consider installing ceiling fans or placing oscillating fans inside of your home to increase airflow in your home. The tiniest units can take advantage of table top fans or tent fans.
Hang damp laundry outside and hand wash and air dry dishes to decrease indoor moisture levels.
Monitor the humidity with a simple, inexpensive tool. Hydrometers are accurate and lightweight and can cost from a few dollars up to a couple of hundred. With accurate data, you’ll be able to measure and document high levels before damage starts. When your tiny home is more humid than usual, check all plumbing as well as your water tanks.
TRAC Solutions is a locally-owned Chippewa Valley company with more than 25 years fixing homes of all sizes in Western Wisconsin. When your tiny house suffers from water damage, call the water damage restoration experts in Menomonie for immediate help.
