We might not be able to see it, but there’s moisture in the air inside all our homes. This moisture can lead to condensation which affects properties of any age and size, but can be more of a problem in older properties without good ventilation or insulation.
Causes of damp and condensation at home
Condensation can come from cooking, from when we shower, from drying our clothes on radiators, or even as a result of blocked or damaged gutters, a leaky roof, or poorly fitted windows and doors. Then there’s a failed damp-proof course, where ground water can rise up through the walls and floor if the damp proof isn’t working properly. In addition, we all contribute to the moisture in our homes, as with every breath we take, we release a small amount of water vapour.
Signs of damp and condensation at home
Common symptoms of damp and condensation at home include pools of water on window sills, excessive mildew in the bathroom, mould growing on interior surfaces, peeling wallpaper, and cracking or blistering paint.
Why does damp and condensation occur?
Condensation occurs when warm air collides with cold surfaces, or when there’s too much humidity in your home. As moisture works its way around your house and comes into contact with chilly surfaces, it cools down quickly and forms liquid droplets that are deposited on surfaces. Whilst we all get condensation on our windows from time-to-time, if it clears up quickly it shouldn’t necessarily cause too much of a problem, but in this blog we’re going to take a look at what you can do to avoid condensation building up inside your home and what to do if you do have condensation - or worse, mould.
How to reduce damp and condensation at home
Produce less moisture
Whilst there are simple things you can do to produce less moisture in your home, condensation can still occur. It's important to remember small levels of condensation are safe. To reduce moisture you can do things such as;
- Cooking with pan lids on
- Turning down the heat once water has boiled
- Filling the bath with cold water first before adding the hot
- Never drying laundry on radiators
- Reduce number of plants in the home to transpire
Poor ventilation is a major factor and one of the easiest ways to stop the build-up of condensation is to improve air flow in your home. This is especially important in kitchens and bathrooms which are high in humidity due to cooking and showering – a quick tip is to keep the kitchen or bathroom door closed to prevent moisture in the air escaping into cooler rooms. So, what else can you do?
Open your windows
Condensation builds up when moisture is trapped in your home and has no way of escaping, and is likely to be worse in winter when it's colder outside as we are all more reluctant to open windows and let precious heat out when we have our central heating switched on. We’re all working hard to be energy efficient and to reduce heat loss in our homes, but no one wants the problem of peeling wall paper or mould. So, there is always a balance to strike between keeping the warmth in whilst having sufficient ventilation.
Whilst opening your windows is the best way of letting moisture escape, most double glazed units have trickle vents fitted to the top of window frames. They control ventilation and are designed to minimise condensation and keep the air in our homes fresh - a deliberate feature designed to allow indoor and outdoor air to exchange constantly by pushing the moisture out and allowing dry air in.
Pull furniture away from walls
It's good to try to position your furniture away from external walls, ideally leaving a 5cm gap so air can circulate, or better still, position furniture against internal walls. Condensation not only occurs when air comes into contact with cold surfaces, it can also occur in places where the air is still, so improving airflow with help prevent a build-up of moisture.
Dehumidify with dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers are easy to use - they draw excess moisture from your home, leaving drier air and helping to prevent the build-up of condensation and associated problems such as damp and mould. Plus, they can speed up clothing drying!
There are different types of dehumidifiers – small capacity ones for small rooms, larger ones for bigger areas, electric ones and disposable moisture absorbers that contain crystals that retain moisture from the air and will absorb up to 3 times their own weight. All are portable – so can be moved from room to room.
Another option is to make your own version – you will need a couple of small containers such as the plastic ones you get when you order a take-away. Make a hole in the bottom of one, which will sit on top of the other. Then fill the top container with a moisture absorbent material such as rock salt or cat litter, which will draw moisture from the air and drip through and collect in the bottom container.
Extract with an extractor fan
Kitchens and bathrooms are both prone to high levels of condensation. If you don’t already have them, consider fitting a cooker extraction hood and/or extractor fans. Both will work quickly and quietly, eliminating moisture-laden air and odours and allowing drier, fresher air to circulate throughout your rooms.
Heat your home
Whilst we appreciate we’re all finding things tricky at the moment with the cost of living crisis, and we’re all watching carefully how much fuel we're using whether we're on heating oil, LPG or an alternative fuel source, maintaining a balance between ventilation and keeping temperature levels consistent at around 18 degrees will help prevent moisture forming. In cold weather, keeping low background heating on all day, even in unused rooms, and when there’s no one at home, is the best way to avoid condensation. For those of you using LPG or Heating Oil, check out the latest news on the government support for off-grid households.
If you are experiencing condensation in your home, we would advise you to wipe off the condensed water from windows and sills each morning with a cloth or towel – but do not then dry it out on a radiator. Instead, wring it out into the sink so you are removing the moisture from your property.
What to do if you have mould in your home
Condensation can lead to staining, damaged wallpaper, window frames and furniture, and mould growth. Mould needs good humidity to thrive and can be black, white, yellow or green in colour dependent on the type of mould and the surface it’s growing on.
Mould can lead to health issues such as respiratory infections as it produces spores which spread by floating around in the air, and by growing when they land on a damp spot. So, it’s important to regularly clean any mould away.
If it’s only a small amount of mould, you may be able to treat it yourself. Clean away any damp and mould by wiping down walls and window frames using a mouldicide or fungicidal wash to eliminate spores. Once the area is dry, apply a good quality fungicidal paint to prime your wall and try to prevent the damp coming back, as well as act as a type of insulation.
If you do have mould or damp, it’s important to know what’s causing it and check where it’s coming from – the only lasting way of avoiding severe mould is to eliminate the cause. And if the mould is caused by damaged or leaking plumbing, a leaky roof or a damp proof course that isn’t working, you’ll usually need a professional to advise you and fix the problem.
Want to read on? Take a look at our recent blog for more energy saving tips from the off-grid energy experts at Northern Energy!