Published: 25/11/2022
What is Condensation?Condensation is the appearance of water on cold surfaces. It occurs where moist air comes into contact with air, or a surface, which is at a lower temperature.
Water produced from condensation is generally noticeable where it forms on non-absorbent surfaces (i.e. windows or tiles) but it can form on any surface and it may not be noticed until mould growth or rotting of material occurs.
How to Reduce Condensation?
The simple answer is to produce less moisture (Some normal daily activities produce a lot of moist air very quickly).
To minimise the amount of moist air, which leads to the formation of condensation, you need to:
• Cover pans when cooking and don’t leave kettles boiling longer than necessary.
• Avoid using paraffin and portable bottle gas heaters. (As per tenancy agreement these are not allowed due to health and safety risks)
• Dry washing outdoors. If it’s raining, use a clothes airer in the bathroom with the door closed and the window open or extractor fan on.
• Do not dry washing directly on room radiators as this produces more water vapour and cools the room at the same time.
Ask yourself “Where will all the water vapour from the drying clothes go?”
• Run the cold water first when filling a bath as it prevents steam production.
Ventilate to Remove Moisture to the Outside
Your home can be ventilated without creating draughts by:
• Keeping a small window open a little, or opening a window ventilator when the room is in use.
• Opening the kitchen or bathroom windows to let steam and moisture out.
• Use an extractor fan, they only use 1/5th the power of a 100watt bulb.
• Ventilate your bedroom by leaving a window slightly open at night.
• Close kitchen and bathroom doors when rooms are in use (to prevent warm moist air producing condensation in cooler rooms).
• Don’t clutter wardrobes and cupboards; it could stop the air circulating.
• Don’t block ventilators, air bricks and chimneys.
• Dry your windows & window sills every morning.
• Don’t push beds and sofas against outside walls which are always colder and attract condensation. Make sure there is a 12 inch (30cm) gap. Bedding can get damp if air cannot circulate around it.
• Heat your Home - keep the heat on low all day in very cold weather; condensation is less likely to form in warm houses.
If you are an Empire Estates tenant and your home has a leak or an issue with excess moisture, condensation, damp, mould, etc it is important for you to contact our offices as a matter of urgency.