About Condensation
Condensation occurs when moisture is absorbed into the warm atmosphere of a building. As the property cools down the moisture condenses on cold surfaces – typically windows or windowsills, as a lack of ventilation doesn’t allow the humid air to sufficiently escape.
Condensation is by far the most common cause of dampness in buildings, accounting for a high percentage of damp problems reported.
If you are experiencing condensation in your property, don’t worry, White Rock Property Care are here to help! Listed below are some useful hints and tips on how to spot condensation, how it typically occurs and what you can do about it.
When & Where does Condensation Appear?
Condensation can appear at any height, on almost any cold surface and where there is little movement of air most commonly windows, north facing walls, corners and behind furniture. This distinguishes it from rising damp, which almost never occurs at heights of more than 1.2 metres over external ground level and which is confined to walls that are in contact with the ground. Unlike condensation, rising damp normally results in the brickwork or masonry, being of higher moisture content, than the plaster/render.
Condensation is most common in the colder months of the year when the heating is turned on and windows are kept shut. It will also occur if there is a lack of ventilation in a property, particularly in rooms which generate a lot of moisture, mainly bathrooms and kitchens. Property layout, living habits, number of occupants and insulation can all effect condensation levels.
Does your property suffer from condensation? Suffer no more, call us on 01792 461235 to arrange a survey
Typical Symptoms of Condensation
Condensation can typically be identified if one or more of the following are present in your property:
- Streaming wet windows
- Damp and musty smell
- Mildew on fabric and leather
- Crumbling plaster and peeling wallpaper
- Walls damp to touch
- Black mould on walls, the ceiling and behind furniture
- Rotten timber
- Possible worsening of respiratory problems for property occupants.
How to effectively treat Condensation
Condensation is a common problem in many buildings but there are solutions available that allows it to be prevented and completely stopped.
White Rock Property Care can provide a completely bespoke, tailored care package to suit the conditions of your property. Such treatments can include:
- Help and advice on how to prevent condensation
- Damp/Condensation survey conducted by PCA approved surveyors
- Access to a range of condensation control units
- Installation of units by PCA approved technicians
When tackling condensation, it is vital to target the source of moisture in the air. This then ensures moisture cannot grow. Condensation is inevitably derived from normal living activities such as washing, cooking and bathing. Normally this moisture is vented away but in some cases double glazing, draught exclusion or blocking of air vents can restrict the venting of moisture. This occurs especially from those areas where most water is produced such as bathrooms and kitchens.
Improving the ventilation in a home is key to allowing moisture-laden air to exit the property quickly. This can be achieved by introducing additional ventilation such as kitchen and bathroom fans.
The cause of condensation can be more complicated than is often thought. Where problems have been/are ongoing, White Rock Property Care will undertake a survey to build a true diagnostic picture of why the condensation is occurring. This will involve:
- Identifying the moisture, humidity and dew point levels within a property to qualify if these are consistent with that of condensation.
- Assessing for influencing factors which could be causing the condensation such as lack of ventilation opportunities, property layout and number of occupants
- Checking for any damage caused by the condensation and other potential damp conditions.
- Identifying the requirement for a specialist unit as a means of preventing condensation.
- Deciding the type of unit, where this should be located within the property and the settings it should be set to.
