Home condensation is the most prevalent form of dampness in domestic properties, causing significant concerns for homeowners, local authorities, and private rental markets alike. Over the past two decades, mould resulting from condensation has become a major source of complaints.
And it’s not just home condensation that causes problems – industrial premises, including breweries and food processing factories, also face condensation issues that need rectifying urgently.
Suffering from condensation at home?
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What causes condensation at home?
Home condensation is particularly common during the winter months. As outdoor temperatures fall, internal wall surfaces also cool. When warm, moisture-laden air from inside your home meets these cold surfaces, condensation occurs. Several factors contribute to condensation at home, including:
- Poor ventilation
- Heating variations
- Changes in occupancy levels
- Cold bridging
- The orientation of the house
- Wall construction type (e.g. solid brickwork or cavity walls)
Drying clothes indoors, using unventilated appliances, or poor kitchen/bathroom airflow can also significantly increase moisture in the air. Accurate diagnosis and condensation control requires considering all these factors together.
What are the signs of condensation at home?
Condensation often reveals itself as:
- Water droplets on windows or kettles, or forming on cold walls
- Black mould in corners, around windows, or behind furniture
- Peeling wallpaper or discolouration
- Musty smells
These symptoms signal poor indoor moisture control and, if left untreated, can lead to structural problems.
Why is home condensation management important?
- Serious Problem: Dampness and consequent condensation are serious issues in buildings.
- Unpleasant Conditions: Damp properties are generally uncomfortable, unhealthy, and unpleasant.
- Health Impact: Damp and mould caused by condensation at home are linked to asthma, allergies, and other respiratory conditions, particularly affecting the young, elderly, and those with pre-existing health issues.
- Hidden Damage: Condensation in houses often occurs within the building fabric, including inside walls and roof spaces. This means it can go unnoticed and cause structural damage, such as dry rot, which is costly to treat.
- Insulation and Ventilation: Adding insulation without proper ventilation assessments can exacerbate condensation.
- Air Movement: Restricted air movement behind furniture and cupboards, in roof voids, loft areas, and under floor spaces can lead to condensation and timber decay.
- Energy efficiency: Excess moisture from home condensation can reduce insulation performance, meaning higher energy bills.
- Living comfort: Damp homes feel colder, smell unpleasant, and often attract pests.
How to reduce condensation
in your home
Effectively managing home condensation issues requires a clear understanding of how air and moisture behave indoors. Here are some proven strategies:
- Ventilation: Proper ventilation is crucial for home condensation control and should be considered for the entire house. Ensure fresh air flows through the entire home. This includes opening windows regularly, especially after cooking, bathing, or drying clothes indoors.
- Humidistat-Controlled Extract Fans: Install these in high-moisture areas like bathrooms and shower rooms. If possible, choose heat recovery extractor fans as these also improve energy efficiency.
- Trickle Vents: Install these on all windows to maintain and improve passive background ventilation.
- Passive Vents: Add these to exterior walls to allow consistent air exchange.
- Cooker Extract Hood: Always use the hood when cooking to reduce moisture buildup, and ensure it is vented to the outside.
- Fan Maintenance: Clean all extractor fans every few months to ensure optimal performance./span>
- Furniture Placement: Keep large pieces of furniture two to four inches away from walls to improve air movement.
- Avoid indoor drying: Where possible, dry laundry outdoors or use vented tumble dryers to limit moisture buildup indoors.
If your property suffers from home condensation, immediate action is necessary. Contact us today for a thorough assessment, detailed report, and remedial specification to effectively manage and control condensation in your home.
Need help with home condensation issues?
If your property is suffering from persistent condensation, it’s vital to act quickly. A professional assessment can identify the root causes and recommend targeted solutions for managing condensation.
Contact us today for a full property review, detailed report, and bespoke action plan to reduce damp, improve ventilation, and protect your home from condensation.
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