A lot of everyday household activities and equipment produces warm and moist air. When this air comes in contact with a cold surface, condensation occurs.
Cooking or having a hot bath or shower produces moist and warm air. Condensation occurs when it hits cold surfaces such as windows, mirrors or walls. They form in the shape of water droplets because warmer air holds more moisture.
Condensation usually isn’t a big issue if there is a means by which the warm air can escape. This can be through an open window, extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens and ventilation. However, if there are limited or no means of escape, the air tends to stay trapped in the house and collects quite heavily.
It can be controlled by using a number of methods including adequate ventilation, controlled heating and insulation. Forming a pattern or routine of using these methods should lower the likelihood of condensation.
Heating should ideally be distributed evenly throughout your home and at frequent intervals. This can be tricky in the extremely cold winter months. However, rooms that tend to get very cold quickly and remain that way, should be paid extra attention. These rooms are more likely to draw in warm air.
It is more beneficial to have all rooms heated as best as you can, even if it is at a low temperature. The temperature will always gather and continue to rise after a while. Regular heating will decrease the presence of cold surfaces, making it difficult for the moist and warm air to cling onto something.
Adequate ventilation is always needed to allow moist air to escape the interior of the house. Extractor fan systems are normally already installed in bathrooms and kitchens to allow moist air formed by a long, hot shower, or cooking to escape. They are there to control the levels of condensation and prevent it from happening.
Bathroom doors should be kept firmly shut whilst having a bath or shower, or else the steam and wet air will travel to other part of the house. Keep the fan on and leave the window open after a shower until the bathroom has cleared.
Most homes are already well insulated, but if not, thermal insulation in lofts and walls should be put in. Double glazing also helps. All these methods help in reducing the amount of heat that escapes the home. Adopting these methods usually means saving money on future bills too.
Serious condensation can lead to the formation of mould and the attraction of dust mites, making a home a hazardous environment to live in. A combination of heating, insulation and ventilation with prevent it from happening.
To find out more, please check our Condensation Control services page or feel free to call us on 0800 195 9878