A guide to condensation in homes

2. CONDENSATION -
Condensation is caused when water vapour or steamcomes into contact with
cold surfaces and condenses to formwater droplets and dampness.
Condensation in NOTnormally a building fault. Itcan occur in new builds as the
mortar and plaster dry out as the building is lived in and heated.
Warmair holds more water vapour than cold air and when the warmair comes
into contact with a cold surfaceit cools down and can’t retain all the water
vapour. The excess water vapour condenses to formthe dampness.
Water vapour is produced when you breath out and also by daily activities;
these include showering, cooking, boiling kettles and washing and drying
clothes, all of these activities producewarmair containing a large amount of
water vapour and if the warmair can’t escapethrough an open window or air
vent it travels till it finds a cold surfacewhereit condenses .
Homes that are heated intermittently aremore likely to suffer with
condensation as the breaks in heating allow things to cool down and allowing
condensation to form on them.
Condensation usually forms around windows, cold parts of the wall, around
external doors and where ceilings and floors meet with the outer walls. Itcan
also appear in cupboards and behind furniturewhere air has restricted
circulation.
When condensation keeps occurring in the sameplace black mould grows.

3. HOW TO REDUCECONDENSATION –
- Produceless steam when cooking by putting
lids on saucepans.
- Don’tdry laundry on radiators and heaters.
If you do dry clothes indoors; Open windows and
close the door fromthe room whereyou are
drying the clothes so the moisture can escape
rather than circulate.
- Whilst cooking, bathing
or washing turn on the
extractor fan and open a window and keep the
door closed. Keep the extractor fan on and window
open for about 20 minutes after you have finished
WITH the door CLOSED.
- When condensation appears wipe it away.
- Leave trickle vents open all the time. These provide
constantventilation.
- Keep your building warmto avoid cold surfaces.
- During the day, if the building is
unoccupied makesure the timer is set so that
the property will be warmwhen you return.
- Even if you don’t use all rooms keep
everywhereheated to reduce cold spots.

4. MOULD
When mould starts to formyou need to treat it straight away.
- Sterilize the affected area.
- If the mould has caused damage to the walls leading to repainting, use a
fungicidal paint to preventthe mould fromreturning.
- If mould and mildew is growing on carpets and clothes, they will need to
be dry cleaned. If you disturb the mould by brushing or vacuuming you
can increaserespiratory problems.
- To stop mould forming you need to controlthe condensation in your
home.
Where the damp forms -
Rising Damp – This would show at ground floor level
and would usually show a ‘tide mark’ at its upper edge.
Itcan come and go due to weather changes.
Penetrating Damp – This would show as patches on the
ceilings, walls or near windows following driving rain. It
would also show a ‘Tide Mark’ which would dry out
when the weather changes although the stain would
probably remain.
Leaking Pipes – this would show as progressives
wetness on the floor, wall or ceiling adjacent to the
affected pipe. Itwould not be weather related and
would not dry out withoutattention.
Condensation – this usually shows as mould
staining/spotting and/or steaming windows. Itis not
related to the weather and does not get better without attention. The mould
can be removed fromhard surfaces by using a proprietary mould killer or
bleach. WE RECOMMEND DETTOL MOULD AND MILDEWREMOVER.

5. FAQ’S ABOUTCONDENSATION, MOULD AND DAMP
How do I know ifit is condensation?
It isnot alwayseasyto tell buthere are some keydifferencesbetweencondensationandother
formsof damp. Condensationisusuallyfoundonnorthfacingwallsandincorners,incupboardsand
underworksurfaces – in fact whereverthere islittle airmovement. Otherkindsof dampness,such
as rain or plumbingleaks,usuallyleavea'tide mark'. Condensationcanoftenbe characterisedby
mouldgrowth – mouldgenerallygrowsoncleanerwatersoisunlikelytogrow on moisture from
penetratingorrisingdamp.
Whyam I gettingcondensationand mouldgrowth?
Everyhome getscondensationatsome time – usuallywhenlotsof moisture andsteamare being
produced,forinstance atbath-times,whenamainmeal isbeingcookedorwhenclothesare being
washed.Itisquite normal to findyourbedroomwindowsmistedupinthe morningafteracold
night. Aircan onlyholda certainamountof watervapour – the warmerit isthe more itcan hold.If
air iscooledbycontact witha cold surface suchas a mirror,a window orevena wall,the water
vapourwill turnintodropletsof water-condensation.Sothe warmeryou keepyourhome the less
likelyyouare toget condensation.
Whydoes mouldappear?
For mouldgrowthto occur there needstobe a sufficientamountof wateravailable,thisiswhy
mouldgrowthoftenoccurswithcondensationordampness.Thistype of mould lookslike 'black
spots'and is typicallyfoundalongskirtingboardsorceilingedges.
What can I do to get rid of mould?
To kill andremove mould,wipe downorspraywallsandwindow frameswithafungicidal wash,
ensure thatyoufollowthe instructions foritssafe use.These fungicidal washesare oftenavailableat
local supermarkets.Dry-cleanmildewedclothes,andshampoocarpets.Donottry to remove mould
by usinga brushor vacuum cleaner.The onlypermanentcure isto reduce the amountof
condensationinyourhome.Remember,the wayyouuse yourhome affectsthe amountof
condensationyouget.
What heatersshouldI use?
To add extraheatto rooms withoutanyformof heating,itisbetterto use electricheaters,for
example oil-filledradiatorsorpanel heaters,onalow setting.Trynot to use portable bottledgas
heatersinhomessufferingwithcondensationastheygive outa lotof moisture whilstinuse.
Contraryto popularbelief,itisactuallycheapertoheata room withon-peakelectricitythanby
bottledgasheaters.
How can I dry my clotheswithout making condensationworse?
Dryingclothesindoors,particularlyonradiators,canincrease condensationunlessyouopena
windowtoallowairto circulate.Up to nine pintsof excesswatercanbe producedbydryingyour
clothesinside.Hangyourwashingoutside todryif at all possible,orhangit inthe bathroomwiththe
door closedanda windowslightlyopenorextractorfanon.Don't be temptedtoput washingon

6. radiatorsor in frontof a radiantheater.If youhave a tumble dryerwhichisnotventedtothe
outside youwill needtoallowmore ventilationwhenyouuse it.
How can I reduce condensationwhen bathing?
Whenfillingyourbath,runthe coldwaterfirstthenadd the hot - itwill reduce the steamby90%
whichleadstocondensation.
How can I stop my clothes from gettingmouldyin cupboards and wardrobes?
Don't overfill cupboardsandwardrobes.Alwaysmake sure thatsome aircan circulate freelyby
fittingventilatorsindoorsandleavingaspace at the back of the shelves.
ShouldI keepmy kitchenand bathroom doors openor closed?
Keepkitchenandbathroomdoorsshut,particularlywhencooking,washingorbathing – otherwise
watervapourwill spreadrightthroughthe house andcondensationwillprobablyreachotherrooms.
Can how I cook make a difference?
Don't allowkettlesandpanstoboil forany longerthanisnecessary. Alwayscookwithpanlidson,
and turn the heatdownonce the waterhasboiled. Onlyuse the minimumamount of waterfor
cookingvegetables.
What are the keypoints to rememberto control condensation?
Try to reduce the amountof moisture youproduce. Improve ventilationinyourhome. Tryand
maintainanadequate temperature throughoutyourhome.