If you woke up this morning to find your windows streaming with water, it could be a sign that you have poor ventilation in your home that could lead to damp problems and mould growth if it is not dealt with quickly.
Condensation forms on windows when moisture in the air is released and forms droplets on the surface. It is most obvious on windows where it can be easily seen, but condensation can actually form on any cool surface in your home.
The ability of the air to hold moisture is dependent on its temperature, and roughly doubles for every 11C increase in temperature.
At normal room temperature of about 20C, the maximum amount of water that the air can hold is approximately 8g per cubic meter, however in cooler parts of your home such as around windows, the temperature might be as low as 10C, which means that in those areas, the air will no longer be able to hold water vapour and it will condense.
Many activities in our home contribute to the amount of water vapour in the air. Showers, bathing, and washing can all increase the humidity in our homes to the point where the air becomes saturated and can no longer absorb more water.
Air circulation helps to prevent air reaching maximum humidity. Extractor fans in your bathroom and kitchen help to move air away from the source of moisture and out of your home so that it does not have the chance to form condensation.
High levels of humidity in your home can cause a lot of different problems. Persistent condensation on walls can soak into the plasterwork where it will cause damp patches to form. Damp in walls will damage the plaster causing the wall to expand and lead to paint and wallpaper peeling away from the surface.
Damp conditions in your home also provide the ideal environment for mould and mildew to grow. In a damp home, you may find mould growing on walls and ceilings in the bathroom and kitchen, as well as behind furniture where there is poor air flow.
Mould can be damaging to your health. The spores that it releases to spread are an allergen for many people and can cause multiple problems that range from mild irritation to serious reactions including asthma attacks. Some species of mould that are common in British homes such as Stachybotrys Chartarum release toxins that can cause permanent nerve damage.
To stop condensation in your home, you need to reduce the humidity levels.
Small changes in your behaviour such as ensuring that you use lids when cooking, avoid opening the bathroom door when using the shower, and not drying clothes indoors can help to reduce the amount of moisture that is released into the air, but the most effective way to prevent condensation is to improve the circulation of air.
Extractor fans in your bathroom, kitchen and other wet rooms should be switched on when the room is in use to expel humid air and prevent it escaping into other areas of the home.
If you find condensation problems away from an obvious source of moisture, whole house ventilation may be more effective. Positive Input Ventilation Systems such as EnviroVent ATMOS can be retrofitted into homes. PIV systems draw fresh filtered air into the house at roof level and then gently circulate it through multiple rooms to displace the stale or moisture laden air. This improved air circulation reduces humidity and stops condensation permanently.
If you are concerned about the potential problems from high levels of condensation in your home, we can help. Our local ventilation specialists can visit your property to carry out a free home survey that will identify the causes of condensation. Once the source of condensation has been identified, you will get expert advice about the best way to stop it from becoming a major problem. Simply enter your postcode below to find an expert in your area.
One of our local experts will contact you to learn more about your problems, offer free expert advice and make recommendations for a permanent solution.
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