Condensation

What is it? Where does it come from? Where does it go?

Condensation happens when moist air comes into contact with a cool surface and creates water droplets. On your window, the glass mists up and drops of water run down the window. When it happens on a wall, the wall soaks up the moisture and becomes damp. Mould could then grow on the damp areas.
 
Your body produces moisture all the time, when you breathe or sweat. This is more noticeable when you exercise and overheat. We also put lots of moisture into the air when we take a bath or shower, cook or wash the dishes. Moisture is also produced when we dry clothes indoors or use a tumble dryer or even when ironing clothes.
 
Years ago our buildings had natural ventilation through chimneys, for example. There were often draughts at doors and windows. We now have homes that are sealed and draught proofed – so we need to do something to let the moisture out.

.If you dry close indoors think about the amount of moisture that will be created in the air. Where will it go? You need to open windows and heat your home. Otherwise the moist air will find the coldest surface and turn into ('condense') to liquid. This causes mould if you don't clean it regulary. This short video shows how much water is created by drying a few towels.

Where can it happen?

Condensation happens most on the cool parts of walls, particularly on outside walls where there’s not much air movement. It can appear as a dark patch in corners near the skirting and on the ceiling. The side walls of windows are often affected as they can be even colder. Areas with poor ventilation will get condensation. This could be behind furniture, particularly wardrobes and beds if they have been placed against an outside wall. Bedrooms are often at risk because they are cooler. Double glazed windows are unlikely to have surface condensation except temporarily in kitchens and bathrooms. If condensation is on your window where the glass meets the window frame you must wipe it off and dry the surrounding area as quickly as possible or it will cause the timber and seals to rot.

Moisture is also found in bathrooms and is easily seen on tiles. To prevent mould, open the window after bathing or showering and wipe the tiles down. Each time you flush the cistern it fills with cold water and will attract moisture which will condense on the cistern and on the wall behind. Make sure you dry and clean this to prevent mould

How to remove mould

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Prevent condensation

To reduce the risk of condensation in your home:

•  Keep a window open when drying clothes indoors
• Don’t dry clothes over warm radiators
• Keep the kitchen door closed when cooking
• Keep lids on pots and pans when cooking
•  Keep the bathroom door closed when running a bath and bathing
• Open the bathroom window to let the moisture out
• Don’t overfill cupboards and wardrobes - let air circulate
•  Use the extractor fan in the kitchen and bathroom
•  Don’t put furniture or beds hard against walls – let air circulate
• Keep your heating on low throughout the day in cold weather
• Set your central heating time clock to heat your home at least part of the day. Your house can be warm for you getting up in the morning or coming home from work
• Don’t use gas or paraffin heaters
•  Properly heat and ventilate rooms at risk
• Put the tumble dryer hose out the window or door

Keep your home warm:

•  Don’t trap heat – don’t put furniture in front of a radiator
• Keep curtains above radiators
• Thick curtains stop heat escaping – close them at dusk
• Keep curtains open on sunny days to help warm rooms
•  Keep doors open in sunny rooms to let warm air to circulate

What to next, if you are concerned about dampness/condensation or mould then please contact us for further advice,