Preventing Condensation in the Home
As we enter into what’s often referred to by surveyors as mould season (October to April) surveyors, homeowners, tenants and landlords will be very familiar with this common cause of damp problems, condensation.
Tenants are often oblivious to build up of condensation until it gets to a point where a room feels unhealthy and or has gone on to cause a more serious issue such as rotting timber frames of windows, flaking paint and mould migration to walls and ceilings.
Thankfully, condensation related damp can often be treated and prevented without the need for calling a surveyor.
There are early tell-tale signs, and simple to implement steps you can take to reduce and eliminate condensation from appearing in the first place.
Here are our Top Tip:
1. Take a peek
Moisture is generated through everyday activities such as cooking, having a bath or shower, drying laundry indoors, etc. can contribute to the build-up of moisture trying to escape, if the moisture is unable to escape it builds up creating condensation.
Condensation will be most notable on windows, along with small puddles of water on windowsills. This is a result of the build-up of water vapour trying to escape and is often the first tell-tale sign of high moisture levels within your house.
2. Keep the property warm
Leaving your thermostat on low will ensure that the fabric of the building is heated sufficiently and help avoid sudden rises and fall in temperature which can cause condensation to develop.
Keep temperatures between 19-22°C in living rooms, kitchen and bathrooms, and 16-20°C in bedrooms. When away from home, avoid temperatures under 15°C.
3. Ventilate the property
Providing a route for moisture to escape is key in order to help minimise condensation. If you are introducing moisture from the likes of cooking, bathing and drying clothes indoors, you should open windows and or utilise extractor fans and keep the door closed to allow the excess moisture to escape and also prevent the moisture from migrating to other parts of the house.
4. Cover pots and pans with a lid whilst cooking
Cooking can produce considerable amounts of steam and moisture, we actually attended a property once for a suspected roof leak which turned out to be condensation as a result of some (serious) cooking.
If you have an extractor hood, use it and make sure that if filtered, it is replaced according the manufacturers guidelines to make sure it is working efficiently.
5. Remove excess moisture
Wipe down surfaces with a cloth and rinse down the sink. Even the most minor of condensation build up can soon turn to unsightly mould, you can prevent the condensation from settling by wiping with a cloth and rinsing down the sink.
Utilising a dehumidifier will assist with removing excess moisture from the air. There are a number of ‘smart’ models on the market which switch on when humidity rises or can bet set to run at certain times of the day.
Moisture traps are also good for cupboards and tight spaces where damp appears and where power is not available. Alternatively, wipe with a chamois leather and wring out into the sink. This will help rooms to dry out quicker.
6. Regular maintenance
Ensuring that leaky roofs, pipes and guttering are addressed pronto, will prevent additional moisture being introduced into the property.
Take a look at our recent publication on 'Why it is crucial to keep your guttering clean'
If all else fails get in the professionals in.
If you would like to speak to someone regarding your condensation issue you can contact us on 0208 243 8981 or info@tksurveyinggroup.co.uk, alternatively, use our quick and easy contact form and one of our experts will get back to you.
