Condensation

Condensation in London Homes

Condensation forms when there is excessive moisture in the air; droplets of water can form on hard surfaces like window panes, frames and even walls. Hazardous mould forms in humid environments and if you notice condensation in your home, it is time to arrange for an independent damp surveyor to inspect your London home.

Why Does Condensation Form?

If there is a high volume of moisture in the air, it doesn’t take much for that moisture to turn into tiny water droplets; in winter, the interior is much warmer than the exterior and with poor ventilation, condensation is likely to form on the windows. If not removed, this water will damage timber and plaster, while mould can thrive in such conditions and that is a health hazard for all the occupants.

Condensation tends to form in the colder winter months, when the interior is warmer than the exterior and the main causes include the following:

• Inadequate heating
• Lack of air movement
• Drying damp clothing indoors
• Water pipe leak
• Drainage leak
• Leaking roof

In order to get a definitive answer to the causes of condensation, you need to engage the services of a top-rated independent damp survey company in London. Our damp inspectors use cutting-edge equipment to identify and source condensation, as well as providing remedial work recommendations; we can connect you with the best damp-proofing and condensation specialists in the capital.

Strategies to Prevent Condensation

As mentioned above, drying wet garments indoors causes a lot of moisture to be fed into the environment; if this is something you like to do, you should dry the clothes in the garage or an outhouse, rather than inside the home. Kitchens and bathrooms are more prone to condensation than other rooms because hot water generates steam and this turns to condensation, which causes damage over time. If your home is constantly damp and condensation forms on the windows, you should look into replacing the windows with double-glazed, hermetically sealed units that greatly reduce, if not eliminate, condensation. Aluminium frames have a thermal break that prevents heat transfer across the metal and this would bring many other benefits, such as lowering energy consumption and removing annoying draughts. There are numerous forms of condensation control that can be used to combat water vapour.

Containing Condensation

Keep kitchen and bathroom doors closed when running hot water, which prevents water vapour entering the rest of the home. Opening a few windows and turning on extractor fans will dissipate condensation and water droplets should be wiped up with a dry cloth. Use the canopy fan over the stove when cooking, which removes moisture and odours. A portable dehumidifier can dry out specific rooms and this can have a positive impact on water vapour. Such an investment can make all the difference if your interior is damp and it can be used frequently.

Ways to Deal with Condensation

There are numerous ways to prevent/remove condensation, including creating an airflow throughout the building, which dries out the air and removes excess moisture. Our surveyors carry out a ventilation flow test using a special digital device that accurately measures air movement and when used in numerous locations, the inspector gets a good readout of ventilation. The moisture could be coming up from the ground, rising damp, or entering through the walls, which is penetrating damp; it is important to pinpoint the origin of damp, then solutions can be applied.

Thermal Insulation

Cavity walls can be insulated with an injectable DPC foam that prevents moisture from passing through to the interior walls; older London homes would likely be suitable for cavity wall insulation, as this is known to be the best solution to eliminating water vapour inside the home. Keep a dry cloth in the kitchen and bathroom to mop up condensation droplets, then open a window to allow the moist air to leave.

The Importance of Ventilation

If vents are blocked by wall art or furniture, this will impact ventilation, which is a critical component of a damp-free environment. If you do not have extractor fans, installing a few around the house is recommended; they can be reversed and used to generate airflow. We recommend heating the whole house on a weekly basis, even the rooms that are not in use, as this raises the temperature and removes moisture from the air.

In many London homes, condensation is only an issue in the winter months and a dehumidifier can make all the difference during this time. If you suspect your home might have condensation issues, we can arrange for one of our independent damp surveyors to carry out a damp survey to determine the status of your home.

Is Mould Related to Condensation?

The short answer is probably; mould needs a humid environment to exist and if condensation remains, it will seep into the materials, creating the right conditions for mould and mildew to thrive. We use borescope cameras to inspect dark corners, looking specifically for signs of mould and woodworm, which helps the surveyor do their work.

If you would like to book an independent damp survey, give us a call on 020 8945 5547 or fill in the form on this website and we will be in touch in a timely manner.