Condensation is caused by the air in your home being too wet. Air always contains a certain amount of water. The warmer the air the more it can hold. When the air is cooler, moisture is released to surfaces such as windows, walls and mirrors.
What causes condensation?
There are three main causes:
- Too much moisture is produced in your home
- Not enough ventilation for air to move around
- Your home/room is too cold
What can I do to reduce condensation?
Ventilation: make sure all vents in the property are open. Never block up or cover air bricks, flues or ventilators. Whenever possible, open your windows slightly to air your home. Where fitted, keep the trickle vents open on your windows. Some windows, especially older single glazed style windows, can collect condensation on them which may then drip onto your window sills and floor below. You should be careful to make sure that any excess moisture or water is mopped up and kept dry.
Outside: Do not rest any items such as bicycles and bin bags against the external walls to the property. These items prevent ventilation and sunlight from warming the walls.
Kitchen: when washing/drying clothes or cooking keep the air circulating in the kitchen. Keep doors and windows open, keep lids on pans when cooking and use extractor fans where fitted.
Heating: Warm air can hold more moisture causing less condensation to form on surfaces so it is important to keep your home warm. This is particularly important in the winter months as the colder weather can reduce the temperature in your home much quicker. The best way to heat a home is to have your heating either on a timed or temperature control setting. It is not good for a property to be continually heated up from a very low temperature. Even when you go away it is best to keep the timer set for an hour or so each day to allow the property to be heated. You’ll find that heating your home this way will often also reduce your bills.
Bathroom: run the cold water for a bath before the hot water. Close the bathroom door and open the window while filling to reduce the spread of steam. Use the extractor fan where fitted.
Shower Extractor Fan Isolator Switches
Shower extractor fan isolator switches are normally found above the bathroom door on the entry to the bathroom. Sometimes they can be found to the left or the right of the door. The purpose of the switch is to turn the bathroom extractor fan on or off. It’s important that the isolator switch is always set to the ‘on’ option.
NEVER TURN THE SWITCH TO THE OFF POSITION AS THIS CAN LEAD TO CONDENSATION
SPREADING AROUND THE PROPERTY CAUSING MOULD TO APPEAR.
Furniture and Curtains: So that air can circulate freely, leave a gap between your furniture and outside walls. Do not over-fill wardrobes, cupboards and chests of drawers as this creates air pockets. Avoid putting mattresses directly on the floor. Floor length curtains can cause air to get trapped underneath your window sill. Try to use curtain which do not drop below the window sill or make sure full length curtains are full y open and tied back away from the window during the daytime.
Drying clothes: when the weather allows, always dry your clothes outside if permissible. If you use a tumble dryer, make sure the moist air is piped outside. Do not dry clothes on or directly in front of radiators. Instead place them on a clothes rack in a cool room with the door closed, window open and extractor fan on where possible.
Loft: for safety reasons, and to avoid blocking ventilation or damaging loft insulation you shouldn’t access the loft.
What should I do if I see mould is forming?
Condensation can cause mould. Mould takes the appearance of small black, grey or green spots on the wall or other surfaces in your home. If you find mould then complete the following steps:
- Wash the affected area thoroughly. Use non-ammonia soap or detergent, or a commercial cleaner in hot water and scrub the entire area affected. Use a stiff brush or cleaning pad on uneven surfaces.
- Rinse and dry. Use a damp cloth to rinse any residual detergent off the treated surface.
- Only use disinfectant once you complete steps 1 and 2. Use a fungicidal product and wash the affected surface. Follow the instructions carefully including all safety guidance.
- If you have one available, use a fan heater until the area is completely dried out.
I’ve done all of the above but mould continues to be a problem:
If you have tried all of the things mentioned to reduce condensation but you are still finding mould growth, please contact us and we will investigate the problem further.
