Rightmove : How to Treat Condensation This Winter?

As we are now heading into the winter months, with the temperatures dropping low, we are all wanting keep in as much warmth as possible in our homes. However, this can in fact lead to condensation problems occurring in your home.

This article will provide some tips and suggestions on identifying condensation and what actions you can take to manage condensation in your home.

How does Condensation occur?

During the winter, air flow within the home is usually quite low. This allows for the build-up of water vapour which, if sufficient enough, can lead to condensation occurring. Warm air can hold more water vapour than cold air, therefore, the warmer the air the more water it can hold. The opposite is found with cold air as the cooler the air the less water vapour it can hold. So, if warm moisture laden air is cooled then there will become a point at which the air becomes cool enough and can no longer hold the moisture present. The effect of the moisture laden air coming into contact with a cold surface is that coldness cools the air to such an extent that it can no longer hold the excess water and it therefore, falls out as liquid water on a cold surface e.g. condensation on windows.

What to look out for?

The main areas in the home where condensation usually occurs are windows, cold floors and cold walls. If condensation does occur within sub-floor areas where there is a timber suspended floor, this could lead into dry rot or wet rot developing on floor timbers.

The most common sign of condensation that we have all seen is when it occurs on the inside of windows or on the window sill. This indicates that there is definite lack of ventilation in the home and that moisture laden air needs to be dispersed. One other sign of condensation being present is mould growth. It usually appears as 'black spot' mould but can also be seen as yellow, green and white mould which can develop depending on the severity of the conditions or the surface in your home.

There are a few other signs that you can look out for when checking to see if condensation is a present in your home such as:

• Damp, musty odours
• Finding mould on clothes and fabrics such as curtains
• Plaster peeling off the walls
• Water droplets being found on the window or windowsill

The effects of Condensation on health

There are proven health hazards that can be associated with moulds, the most common being that it is a trigger factor for asthma. The spores can also cause other respiratory issues which can prove to be dangerous for the very young and the elderly.

Treating Condensation

To tackle condensation head on, it is important to target the source of the moisture in the air - no moisture in the air means that condensation cannot take a foothold within the property. One of the main causes of moisture within a home is normal everyday living activities such as washing, cooking and bathing. This moisture laden air is usually allowed to leave the property through air vents, open windows etc. However, double glazing, the blocking of air vents and chimneys can all restrict the stale air escaping your home. In these circumstances improving ventilation is key to allowing air to escape the property as quickly as possible. In some circumstances mechanical ventilation may be required to improve airflow. This may take the form of kitchen and bathroom fans.

A quick and easy solution to solving your condensation mould problems is to use a condensation mould removal kit. These kits allow for the safe removal of condensation on mould on walls and ceilings. Mould in your property can cause health hazards and by using a mould kit these problems can be reduced.

While it may be easy enough to identify condensation in your home, it is important to get a professional opinion from a qualified surveyor who can recommend the best way forward to alleviate condensation as well as spot other potential underlying problems which may be present. You can find experienced damp and timber specialists at Timberwise who provide specialist property care and preservation services nationwide.

Written by Robert Owen

I work for a company called Timberwise which we provide specialist property care and preservation services for both domestic and commercial properties, so no matter what the scale of the issue may be, our experts have the knowledge and skills to make your property great again.