How to Avoid Condensation and Maintain a Dry Home
Every year, as summer fades away and autumn begins, we wake up in the morning to find our home’s windows plastered with droplets of water. This condensation is water that’s held in the air, and it forms into droplets when warm air meets a cold surface. Condensation is most common in the cool months and is often precipitated in your home when the central heating system switches on during the chill hours of the mornings and evenings.
A certain amount of condensation on the windows is natural and doesn’t present a problem, but too much of it that doesn’t dry properly can form damp patches on your walls and ceilings where harmful mould can thrive. This constant moistness can damage your home’s surfaces, make it feel damp and uncomfortable inside, and cause a pervasive mould smell in your house from mould growth that can be extremely harmful to your health, with particularly adverse effects on those who suffer from allergic, respiratory, or immune system conditions!
If your home is experiencing an excess of condensation, you should be concerned and consider calling us for a free condensation survey by our ventilation specialists, who can find a solution for your problem! Meanwhile, the following are some suggestions to help you avoid condensation and maintain a dry home!
Use Pan Lids While Cooking – Simply covering your pan with a lid while cooking greatly reduces the amount of moisture that boiling water and simmering liquids release into the air. If you have an extractor fan installed above the stove make sure it’s running while you are cooking so it can suck that moisture away.
Keep The Kitchen & Bathroom Doors Closed – These rooms are major sources of water vapour and can create condensation on windows all through your home’s interior. When you are boiling the kettle, cooking, taking a shower, or brushing your teeth, make sure the doors are kept closed to stop the moisture in the air from travelling to the home’s cooler rooms, where it will condense on cold surfaces and make the house smell musty. Don’t forget to run the fans, too!
Dry Your Clothes Outdoors – Drying your clothes outdoors whenever the weather permits will help prevent excess moisture from collecting in your home. Wet clothes, bedding, and towels are heavy with water, so all of that moisture will be evaporating into your home’s warm air. If you must dry your clothes indoors, then keep them in a room with its door closed, windows open, or a fan running until they have fully dried.
Keep The Furniture Away From The External Walls – Avoid placing furniture close to the external walls because it interrupts the flow of air and can make dead air pockets that promote damp and mould. Keep the furniture at least 50mm away from the walls to improve the room’s air circulation.
If you are seeking condensation solutions, be sure to call us at Damp Proofing Ltd on 020 7593 8030 during office hours or fill in the online form so we can help you keep your home nice and dry!