Managing condensation
You might be surprised to know that most condensation is caused by lifestyle – so it can be stopped.
Too much condensation can make mould build up in your home. It can even cause breathing problems.
So, how can it be stopped? The simple answer is to keep your home warm and well ventilated. You can get some hints and tips of how to do this below:
Furnishings
Put up thick curtains at doors and windows and lay a carpet with a good underlay. Also use draught excluders – making sure that there’s good ventilation elsewhere.
Heating
If you have your heating on a timer, heat can be off for a long time during the day and night. This means that temperatures drop and condensation forms. To reduce the chance of condensation, leave your heating on a lower level.
One option to avoid is using paraffin or portable bottle-gas heaters as these put a lot of moisture into the air.
Drying clothes
When you can, you should try to dry clothes outdoors if the weather is nice. If you have a tumble dryer, make sure you vent to the outside – unless it is a self-condensing type.
If you need to dry clothes in a room with no window, make sure your extractor fan is on, and that it is clean and the fan works.
Ventilation
Open your windows, when you can, to ventilate rooms. This will let the air flow through your home.
Cooking
If you can, open a window whilst cooking letting any steam escape.
Bathroom
Close the door while a bath or shower is on so that the steam doesn’t get into other, colder rooms.
If you have a fan fitted, turn this on to get rid of any moisture. You could also open a window once you’ve finished using the bathroom.
Wipe away the condensation
If you see condensation on any surfaces or windows, wipe them down and wring out the cloth (if you’re using one) rather than drying it on a radiator.
To help control condensation, you could install condensation channels or sponge strips – available to buy at DIY stores.
Steps against mould
Wipe away black spots of mould with a wash that has a Health and Safety Executive approval number, making sure that you follow the instructions.
Dry-clean mildewed clothes and shampoo carpets, as brushing or vacuum cleaning can increase the risk of breathing problems.