Damp & Mould
This information could help you to prevent the cause of damp and mould in the property. Damp housing encourages the growth of mould and mites and can increase the risk of damage to your health.
Condensation
There is always moisture present in the air, even though you cannot see it. If the air gets colder it cannot hold all the moisture and tiny drops of water appear. This is called condensation. You may notice it when you see your breath on a cold day or when the mirror mists up when you have a shower.
You mainly get condensation during cold weather regardless whether it is wet or dry, it does not leave a tidemark. It mainly occurs on cold surfaces such as near windows or in corners. It often forms on north facing walls.
The question may be “is it condensation?” because condensation is not the only cause of damp. It can also come from:
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Leaking pipes, wastes or overflows
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Rain seeping through the roof where a tile or slate is missing, spilling from a blocked gutter, penetrating around window frames, or leaking through a cracked pipe
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Rising damp due to a defective damp-course or because there is no damp-course
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Cooking in kitchen
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Baths and showers in the bathroom
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If the property is newly built it may be damp because the water used during its construction is still drying out.
If the property is damp for any of these reasons it may take weeks of heating and ventilation to dry out. Hiring a dehumidifier will help. If you do not think the damp comes from any of these causes, then it most probably is condensation.
Ways to Avoid Condensation
These steps can help you to avoid condensation in the property.
Produce Less Moisture
Some ordinary daily activities produce a lot of moisture very quickly.
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Cover pans and do not leave kettles boiling.
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Avoid using paraffin and portable flueless bottled gas heaters as these heaters put a lot of moisture into the air. For every gallon of paraffin burned it produces 10 gallons of water.
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Dry washing outdoors on a line, or put it in the bathroom with the door closed and the window open or fan on.
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Vent any tumble dryer on the outside, unless it is the self-condensing type. DIY kits are available for this.
Ventilate to Remove Moisture
You can ventilate the property without making draughts.
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Keep a small window ajar or a trickle ventilator open when someone is in the room.
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Ventilate kitchens and bathrooms when in use by opening the windows wider. Or better still, use a humidistat controlled fan. These come on automatically when the air becomes humid, and are cheap to run.
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Close the kitchen and bathroom doors when these rooms are in use, even if your kitchen or bathroom has an extractor fan. A door closer is advisable, as this will help prevent moisture reaching other rooms, especially bedrooms, which are often colder and more likely to get condensation.
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Ventilate cupboards and wardrobes. Avoid putting too many things in them as this stops the air circulating. Cut a ventilation slot in the back of each shelf or use slatted shelves. Cut “breather” holes in doors and in back of wardrobes and leave space between the back of the wardrobe and the wall. Where possible, position wardrobes and furniture against internal walls.
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If you replace your window units at any time, make sure that the new frames incorporate trickle ventilators.
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Insulate, draughtproof and heat the property.
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Insulation and draughtproofing will help keep the property warm and will also cut fuel bills. When the whole property is warmer, condensation is less likely.
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Insulate your loft. Remember to draughtproof the hatch but do not block the opening under the eaves.
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Consider cavity wall insulation. Before deciding you should talk to your local building inspector as regulations approval is required.
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Consider secondary and double glazing of windows from heat loss and draughts but you must ensure that there is some ventilation.
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In cold weather, keep low background heating even when there is no one in the property.
* Remember: Gentle Heat & Ventilation Reduce Condensation * |
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