Condensation is nothing short of a pain, but with humidity levels hitting around 50 – 70% in most properties[i], it can sometimes feel inevitable. When winter creeps up on you and you start to see water droplets collecting on your window, you know you’re in for a long season of fighting dampness, mildew, and mould. But you don’t have to accept condensation as a fact of life any longer.
It is a lot easier to prevent it from happening in the first place than it is to fight it once it’s started to cause issues. You no longer have to take a teatowel to the windowsills every morning or pay an arm and a leg for harsh chemical de-moulding sprays. In this article, we are going to discuss how to stop condensation (for good!)
What causes condensation on windows?
When water molecules from the air become cold, they shift closer together and get heavier. Once they hit a surface that is even colder than they are, they group together and form droplets. These droplets form what we call condensation.
Windows are generally a lot colder than the rest of your home, which is why they are the main victims of condensation during colder months.
You might notice condensation increasing when you boil water in a pan, have a shower, or dry clothes on your radiator. This is because you are filling the air with excess water molecules, which we also know as humidity.
Can condensation cause mould?
Yes, condensation can cause mould. In fact, it is the main cause of black mould, which appears as black, pinprick spots across different surfaces and gradually spreads if it is left untreated.
This most commonly happens in bathrooms where it is a lot harder to keep surfaces consistently dry, but it also regularly happens on and around windowsills.
Did you know that 5.8 million renters in the UK experience damp and condensation issues?[ii]
You can wipe black mould away and treat it with a mould-removing product, but you should take steps to stop the condensation that is causing it to stop it coming back. Breathing in spores from black mould can make you unwell, especially if you are allergic to it or have existing respiratory problems.
How to stop condensation
Stopping condensation can be simple or a bit trickier, depending on what is causing your space to have excess moisture. Below, we’ve detailed how to stop condensation in your home.
1. Improve ventilation
When it comes to stopping condensation, your first step should always be to improve ventilation.
- Open windows – in the UK, it’s tempting to keep your windows permanently shut during colder months, but this causes more trouble than it’s worth. Opening your windows for a few hours every day will help air to circulate and expel water particles.
- Use fans – we only usually use fans when the weather is warmer, but if you have a condensation issue, running a fan for a while with the windows open will help massively. This is also a handy tip to help clothes dry faster on a clothes horse.
2. Install insulation
Having insulation in your home stops walls from becoming too cold. This means when water vapour hits, it won’t build up and cause condensation. Insulation can also create a barrier that prevents moisture from coming in through your walls. There are different types of insulation that can be installed in the home, so you should get a professional to advise you on this.
Read More: Loft Insulation Do’s and Dont’s
3. Thoroughly heat your home
The next necessity for a condensation-free home is to have a good heating system in place. Thoroughly and evenly heating the surfaces of your home will prevent any condensation from forming. Underfloor heating systems are particularly efficient at heating homes evenly and can be made more efficient by installing insulation boards.
4. Invest in a dehumidifier
Sometimes it isn’t possible to make radical changes to your home in an effort to battle condensation – this is especially true for renters, or for people who are living in older houses. In this case, investing in a few good dehumidifiers is probably your best bet.
You can get smaller dehumidifying tubs to put on windowsills or in problem areas to ‘spot treat’ the condensation, but we would recommend investing in a freestanding machine that will cover a whole room or multiple rooms. Although these can be expensive, you’ll notice the difference very quickly.
5. Switch on extractor fans
Sounds simple enough, but once people’s bathroom and kitchen extractor fans go on the fritz, they sometimes aren’t replaced for months, or sometimes even years. Make maintaining and using your extractor fan an absolute priority if you have a condensation issue.
You should also keep windows open whilst you cook or shower to let steam out. If you forget to use your extractor fan until suddenly it’s too late and the windows are covered in condensation, wipe them and the surrounding areas down with a dry cloth or tea towel. Stopping the water from sitting will prevent mould growth.
6. Stop drying clothes inside
We know this is a bit of an ask, especially when it comes to winter and drying clothes outside just isn’t possible. But if you are having problems with condensation, taking your laundry to be dried at a laundrette or investing in a tumble drier will help to solve your problems. As clothes dry, they leak a massive 9 pints of water into the air, and if this water can’t escape, it ends up clinging to every surface it can.
If you need to dry your clothes inside, follow these tips:
- Use a clothes horse or drying rack, but do not overload it. Make sure there is plenty of space between each piece of clothing for air to circulate.
- Place it next to an open window
- Turn on a fan, aiming it at the clothes horse in the direction of the open window. This will promote airflow and push any evaporating vapours outside. It will also help your clothes to dry faster, which can be an issue during colder months.
Sources
[i] https://www.confused.com/home-insurance/guides/condensation-in-the-home
[ii] https://www.rentokil.co.uk/news/2019/03/20/5.8-million-tenants-experience-damp-and-condensation-issues.html