Health Homes – Condensation
What is Condensation?
Condensation can be a common problem. It forms on internal surfaces where the temperature drops below the temperature of the moist air inside the property.
If left to develop, condensation can lead to the growth of black mould resulting in an unsightly and musty property. The spores form the mould can also aggravate or trigger health issues as asthma.
What Causes condensation?
There are three main causes of condensation:
- Moisture – produced by everyday activities such as cooking, drying clothes, bathing/showering and even breathing.
- Not enough ventilation.
- Cool temperature.
1. Stop moisture building up.
Wipe down windows and window sills each morning to remove condensation, particularly in bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens.
Cover pans when cooking and do not leave kettles boiling.
When cooking, bathing or showering, close kitchen and bathroom doors to prevent steam going to other parts of the property, even after you have finished. Use the extractor fan when cooking. Open bathroom window immediately after bathing or showering to disperse any moisture.
Drying clothes outdoor when possible. If this is unavoidable, dry washing on a clothes rack in a small room near a slightly opened window. DO NOT dry clothes over the radiators.
DO NOT use bottle gas or paraffin heaters, they are expensive to run and prohibited by your tenancy.
2. Ventilate and Air the Home to Remove Excessive Moisture
When cooking or bathing/showering, open windows or switch on ventilation fans/extractors. These do not cost a lot to run but are very effective at removing excessive moisture.
Cross ventilate your home each day
– if possible for at least 30 minutes.
To do this, you need to open the windows
AND the internal doors to allow air to circulate.
Do Not turn of the heating at this time. Beware of security issues if your windows are open, especially on the ground floor.
Do Not block air vents in the room. If your windows have trickle ventilators (slot at the top), do not close them. These allow essential controlled ventilation into your home.
Allow air to circulate around the furniture and in cupboards/wardrobes and behind furniture. Make sure there are spaces between the furniture and the walls and that cupboards and wardrobes are not overfilled. Do Not put bags/items behind cupboards or wardrobes.
3. Heat your Home
Maintain a low heat when the weather is cold or wet.
Keeping low background heat throughout the home is more effective to reduce condensation than short bursts of high heat.
DO NOT turn off the heating completely in less used rooms such as bedrooms.
It is important to be aware of simple ‘rules’ to ensure healthy living environment in your home.
- Always ensure that your flat is well ventilated (windows open etc) during and after drying.
- If you are using a tumble dryer is MUST be a condenser dryer.
- On any outside wall, not internal walls, furniture should be kept a small distance from the wall. There should be a gap between the wall and the furniture. This helps prevent damp starting
- Heat your home
SO, IF DRYING INDOORS, ENSURE ADEQUATE VENTILATION IS AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES ON WASH DAYS.
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Contact Details
Ruth Duncan
Ed Duncan
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Monday to Friday 9am-3pm