09/15/2026
The sun is finally back out in Lafayette. You crank up the AC and suddenly your house smells like a wet stray dog wandered in and made itself comfortable on the living room sofa.
Or maybe the air just feels heavy and clammy, even though the thermostat says it's 70 degrees.
If you own a home in Greater Lafayette or anywhere across Acadiana, especially one with a brick exterior, this is worth paying attention to.
We're going to get a little technical for a second, because this is where building science really matters. Understanding what's happening inside your walls can help explain why your home may look completely dry on the outside while moisture is still building up where you can't see it.
Most homeowners assume brick keeps water out.
It doesn't.
Brick is porous. After several days of heavy rain across Greater Lafayette and Acadiana, that brick can hold a surprising amount of moisture.
Then we get one of those familiar Acadiana weather swings.
The rain stops.
The clouds break.
The temperature climbs.
And the afternoon sun starts beating down on that damp brick.
That's when something called solar v***r drive can happen.
As the sun heats the moisture inside the brick, water v***r can be pushed inward toward the cooler, air-conditioned side of your home.
And because most of us are running the AC hard during a hot Lafayette afternoon, the inside surface of that wall can be much cooler than the brick outside.
When that warm, humid v***r reaches cooler drywall, insulation, framing, or wall coverings, it can cool down and condense back into liquid water.
Here's the tricky part.
Your driveway may be dry.
Your brick may look dry.
The sun may be shining.
But moisture can still be trapped inside the wall where you can't see it.
If those materials stay damp long enough, mold growth can begin in as little as 48 to 72 hours.
Wiping down the wall or pointing a fan at it won't solve moisture that's trapped inside a closed wall cavity. And cranking the AC even colder can sometimes make the situation worse by creating an even colder surface for that warm, humid air to reach.
In light of the recent storms, keep an eye out for these three warning signs:
👉 A musty smell that becomes stronger when the AC is running
👉 Indoor humidity staying above 60%, even while the AC runs throughout the day
👉 Baseboards along exterior walls that feel damp, soft, or unusually cool
Pay particular attention to rooms along exterior brick walls, especially after several days of rain followed by hot, sunny weather.
If your home suddenly feels muggy, smells musty, or just doesn't feel right, don't assume everything is fine just because the outside of the house looks dry.
Our team can inspect the area using professional-grade moisture detection tools to help identify signs of hidden moisture and determine whether further investigation may be needed, without immediately cutting into your sheetrock.
With the combination of heavy rain, high humidity, intense sun, and constant air conditioning we deal with across Greater Lafayette and Acadiana, moisture problems don't always show up where you'd expect them.
If something feels off, it's better to check it early.
Call Superior Contract Cleaning at (337) 247-5567 to schedule an on-site moisture inspection before a hidden moisture problem turns into a much larger restoration project.
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