CONDENSATION ADVICE

Why do I get condensation?

Most people’s homes will get condensation, a type of dampness, at some time — usually when a lot of moisture and steam is being produced. When damp air comes into contact with a cold surface, it condenses back to water, causing condensation. Condensation is often found on windows, in the corners of rooms or behind furniture when it is positioned close to an external facing wall. It can be most noticeable when it forms on non-absorbent surfaces (such as windows or tiles) but it can form on any surface, such as walls, furnishings, curtains and clothing. You may not notice it until the growth or appearance of mould occurs. Condensation in your home does not necessarily mean that there is anything wrong with the building. A small amount of condensation is quite normal, especially in older or less well insulated properties. However, too much condensation in your home can lead to damp, mould and mildew growth on walls and in the corners of rooms. Very small amounts of mould growth can be managed with branded anti-fungicidal products that are available from most supermarkets and DIY stores.

What are the main causes of condensation in the home?

Your kitchen and bathroom are often responsible for most of the moisture in your home, as activities like cooking and showering generate a lot of steam. Drying washing indoors can also create condensation. This is due to the moisture contained in your damp washing being released into the air as it dries. Generally, condensation is most likely to occur in rooms that are humid or have poor air circulation, such as rooms with no windows or ventilation, as there is nowhere for the moisture to escape. Condensation is most noticeable in cold weather, especially in winter. Adequate heating of your home is important in the prevention of condensation, as the warmer your home is, the more water vapour the air can hold, and therefore, the less chance you have of getting condensation.

Reducing condensation in your home

Reducing condensation in your home will help prevent issues with damp and mould. While it’s difficult to prevent condensation completely, there are several easy steps you can take to reduce the amount of condensation in your home.

General advice

• Cover pots and pans with a lid when cooking

• When you dry your clothes inside, ensure it’s in a well-ventilated room, such as the bathroom, with the extractor fan running to remove the moisture

• To avoid Fire Risk, DO NOT dry your clothes over electric heaters

• if you’re thinking of buying a tumble dryer, consider a self-condensing model. This should be placed in a ventilated room

• It is quite normal to find your bedroom windows misted up in the mornings. To control this, be sure to wipe down any moisture on your windows and windowsills, especially in the winter

• Close internal kitchen and bathroom doors when doing activities that generate a lot of moisture, such as showering or cooking.

Ventilation advice

• Allow space for air to circulate around furniture, especially where furniture is against an exterior facing wall

• Use extractor fans when bathing, cooking, or drying washing indoors, or open a window to ventilate humid rooms

• Keep air vents and extractor fans clear and clean them regularly.

• Where your windows have trickle vents fitted, make sure they are left open during all seasons

• Using a dry cloth, wipe any excess moisture off window areas and tiled wall surfaces in kitchens and bathrooms.

Heating advice

• Avoid blocking radiators with furniture or curtains if possible

• Don’t use paraffin or portable gas heaters. There are several risks associated with these types of heaters, including the danger of causing a fire if used incorrectly. For these reasons, they are not allowed under the terms of your tenancy agreement

• If fitted, use the thermostat-controlled radiator valves as this will help control the heating in each room. Try to avoid switching off your heating for long periods of time in winter. We appreciate you may be worried about energy costs, but if you regularly switch your heating off when it’s cold, it can lead to the risk of pipes bursting. It may also make any issues with damp and mould worse and increase your risk of cold-related illnesses. Ensure your home is adequately heated. It’s important to avoid extreme changes of temperature, as this can make condensation issues worse. Every time the heating is switched on, water will evaporate, then condense again when the heating is switched off.

TOP TIPS FOR MOULD REMOVAL & PREVENTION

Establish the cause

In general, the common causes of mould in properties are:

Build-up of condensation
Steam created from cooking, boiling kettles, bathing and showering and unvented tumble dryers
Poor ventilation
Furniture too close to exterior walls
Drying clothes indoors
Leaking pipes and roofs
Clutter

Less likely, you may find rising damp is the cause, where water from the ground is entering the building and travelling up through pores in the brickwork

Top Tips for Mould Removal and Prevention

Whether you own or rent a property, mould can be a huge problem. On the one hand a mould infestation can affect your quality of living – especially if you suffer from asthma; on the other hand if the mould occurs during your tenancy you may be expected to cover the cost of the cleaning. A common problem in flats, apartments, and maisonettes, mould can strike any property. As with most issues in life, prevention is the best cure, although there are many ways you can deal with an existing mould problem.

Best Practices for Mould Prevention

When you dry your clothes inside

Wet clothes can be a major reason for damp and mould developing. From just one load of washing, over 2 litres of moisture is released into the air! When you dry your clothes inside, ensure a window is opened to provide the much-needed ventilation that may prevent damp developing. You can also look into products such as this ‘Moisture absorber’ which is a low-cost solution to deal with excessive moisture in the air.

Open a window and shut the door!

If you are doing something that will release a lot of steam into the room, close the door and open a window. This applies to boiling a kettle, having a shower/bath, and cooking. If you have an extractor fan then this can really help to reduce the moisture, but closing the door will prevent the moisture from spreading into the other rooms of your house. If you don’t have an extractor, be sure to open a window- especially in winter months where steam will condense on cool surfaces!

Furniture and Walls

Exterior walls are often slightly colder than interior walls and therefore more susceptible to damp and mould. Keep furniture away from these walls, instead placing them against interior walls. Another way to reduce your chances of mould is to leave a slight gap between all walls and furniture to leave room for air flow. If you have limited space, then try to regularly clean behind the furniture and ensure you dry the wall after you clean it.

Declutter

Overfilled cupboards are a breeding ground for mould as there isn’t much air-flow.

Cleaning Solutions for Mould Removal

First of all, please do not attempt to scrape away dry mould – especially if you have a respiratory condition such as asthma. Always work in a well-ventilated area, take regular breaks, and consider using gloves and masks to ensure your own safety. You can also use a dust mask to cover your mouth and nose to prevent you breathing in mould and any cleaning products.

Anti-bacterial spray

Regular cleaning of problem areas such as grout, sealant and window sills will go a long way to preventing mould or at least stopping in its tracks if it does start to appear. A good mould spray (wear gloves!) such as the one made by HG, can get rid of the most stubborn mould stains if It has already set in.

Clove/Tea Tree Oil

Both clove oil and tea tree oil can be used to rid yourself of mould. Clove oil can have a fairly strong smell, so if you don’t like this you can use tea tree oil instead. If you buy the oil neat, mix half a teaspoon of oil with a litre of water.

To use this method, spray some of the solution directly onto the mould, and leave for around half an hour. You should be able to easily wipe the mould off with a little more oil and water on a cloth.

Bicarbonate of Soda and Vinegar

In a jug mix an equal amount of water and white vinegar. Add in bicarbonate of soda (2 parts soda to one part vinegar water) and mix well to make a paste. Apply the paste to the mouldy areas and use a damp cloth to scrub at the mould.

If the mould persists

If the mould persists despite your best efforts at cleaning and prevention, ensure you contact your landlord promptly to let them know so that they can assess whether further action will need to be taken. Do not attempt to paint over mould. Even if you have purchased ‘Mould blocking paint’ you will need to clean the mould prior to applying paint. Normal paint will have no effect on mould growth, and the mould will return.