A Brief Explanation of Condensation
Condensation is the process which water vapour in the air turns to liquid when it comes into contact with a colder surface. This often happens on windows, mirrors or walls, particularly in kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms.
It is common in millions of domestic buildings during the colder months where poor ventilation allows moisture to build up and cold surfaces cause condensation. Over time, this leads to black mould, condensation damp and can lead to structural damage.
The Dangers of Condensation
Unchecked condensation poses serious risks to both your property and health. Persistent condensation damp creates the perfect environment for black mould, which, if untreated, can trigger respiratory issues, asthma flare-ups and other health problems, particularly for elderly people, vulnerable individuals and children.
Beyond health, condensation can silently damage your home’s structure. Prolonged exposure to moisture can cause paint to peel, plaster to degrade, timber to rot and insulation to become saturated.
In extreme cases, untreated condensation can lead to long-term structural decay, reducing the value and safety of your property.
Is My Home Affected?
If you think you may have a condensation problem at home, look for the following signs:
- Water around the windows and sills on cold mornings
- Musty smells in bedrooms
- Black mould patches in wall/ceiling corners, on external walls, behind furniture
- Flaking cracked paint on wall or ceiling surfaces
- Peeling wallpaper or damp walls or ceilings
- Clothing taking a long time to dry during cold weather
- Doors expanding or becoming difficult to close
These are all signs that excess relative humidity is not being managed effectively.
How We Solve It
If you have issues with condensation, black mould or dampness, Better Indoors can help.
We are a PCA/ABBE CSDB certified damp surveyor and a member of the PCA. Our surveys accurately identify root causes that our solutions permanently address. For the most common humidity related problems our whole house retrofits typically comprise low-energy Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) combined with high performance humidity tracking extraction and are designed to gently deliver continuous scalable ventilation performance throughout your home whilst transforming the energy efficiency. This constant airflow dilutes excess humidity, improves heat distribution and prevents condensation from forming.
The benefits include:
- Permanent condensation and mould control
- Lower heating bills as windows and natural ventilators can stay closed throughout the colder months
- Better indoor air quality and control of microbial and allergen transmission
Our solutions are tailored to your property and backed by years of expertise in damp proofing, mould protection, and ventilation design.
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