FAQs

Condensation is the moisture that forms when warm moist air comes into contact with air or a surface, that is at a lower temperature. In your home, when warm air containing moisture comes into contact with a colder wall or window, the warm air is unable to retain the same amount of moisture and water is released onto the colder surface, forming droplets.

Moisture in the air can come from a variety of sources in your property. Showering and bathing, unvented tumble dryers, cooking, and even breathing contribute to the creation of condensation. However, all of these common factors are impossible to escape, so our homes need to be equipped to handle them. Kitchens and bathrooms are the worst culprits, cooking, washing dishes and washing clothes all create excess moisture which can be difficult to extract without sufficient ventilation. Without proper ventilation, this excess moisture builds up and creates damp problems. Examples of how much moisture is created within the home: - Breathing (asleep) - 0.3 litres - Breathing (awake) - 0.85 litres - Cooking - 3 litres - Personal washing - 1.0 litres - Washing and drying clothes - 5.5 litres - Heating - especially paraffin and flueless gas heaters

Common signs of condensation include: - Streaming windows - Wet walls - Damp areas on walls - Wallpaper peeling - Signs of mould growth - Musty smell on clothes in wardrobes

Wet room such as kitchens and bathrooms are the primary sources. Condensation can also appear in areas where the air movement is restricted, such as behind bedroom furniture and inside wardrobes. This can create a musty smell and lead to mould growth on clothes, furniture and walls. Whether it is a period home, new property or a bungalow, the problems associated with condensation affects all of us.

The most effective way to prevent condensation is ventilation! Proper ventilation systems, such as humidity controlled extractor fans or PIV(positive input ventilation), increase the airflow in the house. To prevent condensation, your home needs to have adequate airflow and kept at a good temperature. When a room gets to a specific temperature, humidity gathers creating moisture in the air. If this excess moisture is not ventilated, it will cause condensation. To naturally ventilate your property, you can open the windows, but this is not an ideal solution because of the security reasons or changing weather conditions. Tips to prevent condensation: - Avoid drying laundry on radiators. - Put lids on pans while cooking to reduce the amount of steam created. - Always vent tumble dryers to the outside - Leave trickle vents open tp provide constant ventilation and help remove moisture. - Leave a gap between furniture and walls to allow for air circulation. - Keep your home warm, and at a stable temperature 15-21 degrees, fluctuating temperatures can increase the risk of condensation.

Mould is a fungus that grows on wet materials and requires moisture for its growth. Mould comes in a variety of colours, Green, Black, Blue and White. Mould is caused by a build-up of excess moisture in the air. This can arise from a number of issues: - Leaking pipes. - Rising damp in basements or ground floors. - Rain seeping in because of exterior damage to the roof or around the sealant window frames. - Condensation from insufficient ventilation. Mould reproduces from tiny spores. The spores float through the air and deposit on the surfaces. Under adequate temperature, moisture, and nutrient conditions, the spores can form new mould colonies. Initial signs of mould growth can easily go unnoticed, but if left untreated can quickly lead to problems with mould. Mould can appear in any room of the house. It’s not just a problem exclusive to bathrooms it can appear around window frames, behind furniture, on mattresses, walls, floors, ceilings and doors. It can even find its way into your wardrobe and on to your clothing, shoes and bags! In recent years a growing body of evidence has identified the dangerous impact poor air quality is having on our health. If you have mould on surfaces, there will be mould spores in the air of your home. This can cause respiratory problems, some have even described household mould as the asbestos of the 21st century.