Protecting your home from damp and mould.
What is condensation?
As air cools, it loses the ability to hold moisture, causing tiny drops of water to appear on cold surfaces or areas with little or no movement of air. These tiny water drops are called condensation.
It is perhaps the most common form of damp that can appear in your home, and if left untreated it can lead to:
- Mould growth, potentially causing health issues, and breathing difficulties.
- Structural damage to the property.
The primary reason for condensation forming in your home is lack of adequate ventilation, causing humidity levels to rise.
A family of four people, living in a 3-bedroom property can create 112 pints of moisture a week, by breathing, cooking, showering, and boiling the kettle.
EnviroVent Ltd
What can you do to prevent condensation?
The following simple steps will help you to prevent condensation in your home:
- Dry clothes outdoors (one load of washing can release 2 litres of water into the air)
- Use saucepan lids when cooking, and turn on the extractor hood in the kitchen, and leave it on for 10-15 minutes after your food is prepared.
- Turn on the bathroom extractor fan when taking a shower.
- Close kitchen and bathroom doors whilst they are in use.
- Ensure there is adequate heat in the property.
- Wipe down cold surfaces, if you see condensation build then remove the moisture with a dry cloth.
- Don’t overfill wardrobes and cupboards, it will reduce the circulation of air.
- Keep furniture away from external walls.
- Open your windows when the weather is nice.
How do you treat mould?
Washing down walls with a fungicidal wash can help to treat mould.
For real problem cases, Brenwards can provide a three-part mould treatment.