Damp is an issue that effects many of us and can be a real pain. This week’s guest post comes from Paul Lawless at Peter Cox, who are experts in preventing and clearing up damp issues…
Struggling with damp? Here are some top tips from the experts to combat condensation in your home!
Condensation Could Be The Cause Of Your Damp Problems
Having been in the property preservation industry for over 65 years, our experience has taught us that many people underestimate the potential harm that condensation can cause in their homes.
Frequently homeowners and occupiers alike are shocked to discover that something as commonplace and seemingly harmless as condensation can in fact develop into some pretty serious property problems such as unsightly blistering and peeling decorations, damp patches appearing on walls, and potentially risky black mould growth.
In order to keep your home fresh and dry we have outlined some simple and absolutely free precautions you can take around the home in order to reduce the impact of condensation.
Where Is This Condensation Coming From?
Did you know that the average family of four will release the equivalent of 17.5 pints of water per day into the atmosphere? All of this damp, humid air comes from totally regular, routine and unavoidable activities such as bathing, boiling water and cooking meals.
This necessarily means that some level of condensation is basically inevitable, unless of course you should choose to forgo washing and cooking in your own home!
Therefore the rest of this article will highlight ways you can manage and control the amount of steam and damp air you create in the course of these daily activities.
Make Sure There Is A Source Of Fresh Air
The key to tackling condensation is to ensure that there is an adequate source of ventilation to allow damp and humid air to escape outside and disperse safely.
The easiest way to do this is by simply by keeping a window open in any room where lots of steam is being created. It is advised that you should try to leave the window open for up to 20 minutes after a shower or cooking a large meal in order to allow the air to clear. In addition to this, Kitchen and Bathroom doors should be closed when they are in use in order to prevent steam drifting out into other rooms in the home.
Unfortunately many bathrooms or Kitchens don’t have a window, in this case you should make use of extractor fans and ensure that they are operating efficiently and effectively.
Don’t Create More Condensation Than Necessary.
It is important to recognise that alongside some unavoidable tasks that create condensation, many of us are introducing moisture into the air that is unnecessary.
While it is somewhat understandable that many of us would prefer to dry clothes indoors, it is strongly suggested that clothes should be dried outside if at all possible. Wet clothes left to dry in an unventilated room can increase moisture levels by up to 30% so if you absolutely have to dry them indoors make sure that it is in a room with an open window.
When running a bath it is good practice to run the cold water first – surprisingly this can reduce the amount of steam produced by a massive 90%. Also when you are finished, wipe down any tiled surfaces or windows where you see condensation has gathered rather than allowing it to collect there.
In the Kitchen keep pots and pans covered when boiling water or cooking, this traps the moisture inside instead of allowing it to escape onto kitchen walls and surfaces. Furthermore, if your property has a tumble dryer in the kitchen then do ensure that it is vented out of a window.
Professional Condensation Solutions
Unfortunately not all condensation issues can be prevented by following the above steps. For persistent condensation problems you may wish to investigate some of the various professional treatments to deal with the problem.
As the most humid rooms in the house Kitchens and Bathrooms could be fitted with our heat saving extractor fans that remove damp air while simultaneously reusing the valuable heat it contained – these are especially useful when the temperature turns cooler later in the year and the option of opening the window isn’t quite as appealing!
Other solutions such as positive pressure whole house ventilation systems are available to introduce much needed fresh and dry air into properties, while others may find anti-condensation damp proof paint is the most suitable solution for their particular problem.
To find out more about both professional and DIY condensation treatment from Paul and the team at Peter Cox, find out more about them HERE.
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