Damp and Condensation - Walsall MBC 2017 PDF

Dealing with
Condensation
and Damp
Dealing with Damp
and Condensation
During the colder months condensation becomes a
major problem in many British homes.
It is caused when warm moist air hits a cold surface such as a window
or external wall and condenses, running down the cold surface as water
droplets. If left this moisture can develop into black mould which looks
and smells bad and can cause thousands of pounds worth of damage to
clothes, furniture, books, shoes and decorations as well as causing health
problems.
Condensation can be a problem in any property no matter how old it is.
It is often worse in homes that have been ‘modernised’ if ventilation and
the circulation of air is reduced.
Promoting good ventilation and air circulation around the home is very
important in the prevention of condensation; this allows the air to release its
moisture outside your home preventing future problems inside your home.
Did you know?

Drying clothes indoors can add
10 to 15 litres (18 to 26 pints)
a week
Showering, cooking, bathing and

washing can add 15 to 20 litres
(26 to 35 pints) a week
Just by breathing a family of

four can add moisture to the air
equivalent to 30 to 40 litres
(53 to 70 pints) of water a week
Condensation Prevention Checklist
General Home Checklist
In colder weather try and keep temperatures between 18-21oC in
main living areas whilst indoors.
Don’t block air bricks or air vents.
To kill and remove mould wipe down walls and window frames
with a fungicidal wash which carries a Health and Safety
Executive approval number.
Dry washing outside when possible.
Don’t dry clothes on radiators. This will make your boiler work
harder to heat your house and cost almost as much as using a
tumble dryer, whilst creating a lot of condensation in your home.
If you have to dry clothing indoors, and don’t have a tumble dryer,
place clothes on a drying rack in a sunny room where a window
can be opened slightly.
No drying rack? Put your clothes on hangers and hang from
a curtain pole above a slightly opened window; this can also
reduce the need for ironing.
Living Room Checklist

Open window trickle vents during the day or when going out, or
open windows for at least 10 minutes every day.
Lay thick carpet with a good thermal underlay.
Hang thick, heavy lined curtains during the winter.
Kitchen Checklist
Close internal doors whilst cooking and open windows.
Put lids on pans (this also reduces boiling times and helps save
you money).
Use an extractor fan if you have one.
Only boil as much water as you need in a kettle to reduce steam.
Bathroom Checklist
Open windows whilst bathing/washing and leave them open for
about 20 minutes after, if it’s safe to do so.
Use an extractor fan if you have one.
When running a bath put the cold water in first; this results in
significantly less condensation.
Take shorter showers!
Wipe down windows/mirrors/tiles/shower doors with a window
squeegee and mop up the moisture with a super absorbent cloth
which can be rung out into your washbasin.
Don’t leave wet towels lying around.
Try drying yourself with a smaller towel and wringing it out,
wrapping yourself in a bigger towel or dressing gown for warmth.
Microfibre towels are great for this as they absorb more water
and dry quickly.
Bedroom Checklist
Wipe down windows with a window squeegee and wring it out
in your sink.
Open window trickle vents during the day or when going out,
or open windows for at least 10 minutes every day.
Don’t put furniture, including beds, against any outside walls
and try and leave a gap between the wall and furniture to
allow airflow.
Lay thick carpet with a good thermal underlay.
Hang thick, heavy lined curtains during the winter.
Decorating
When wallpapering, use a paste containing a fungicide to
prevent further mould growth.
Use thermal lining paper under wallpaper when decorating.
Use mould resistant paint on areas prone to mould such as
ceiling above windows.
Damp
Rising or penetrating damp can cause problems in your home although
it is less common than condensation. If you think damp is causing a
problem in your home you will need to seek advice as to what is causing it
and how it can be fixed.
Rising Damp
Rising damp is caused by a failed or
‘bridged’ damp-proof course. This allows
moisture in the ground to rise up through
the ground floor walls of your home,
sometimes to a height of one meter.
You can usually identify rising damp
because it is often associated with what
looks like a ‘tide mark’ at the edge of the
area of damp caused by salt deposits.
Penetrating Damp
Penetrating damp is classed as any water
that finds its way inside your home from
the outside. It can occur at all levels of the
building but is usually higher up.
Water can get into your home through:
Overflowing gutters, missing roof tiles,
leaking pipes and downspouts, badly
fitting windows/doors and damaged
pointing, cladding, flashing or render.
Typical signs of penetrating damp in your
home are:
• growing areas of damp on walls or ceilings
• blotchy patches on walls
• wet and crumbly plaster
• signs of spores or mildew and/or staining
• drips and puddles
Condensation
Condensation can cause mould to form in
your home and lead to staining/damaging
wallpaper, wall surfaces, window frames,
furniture and clothing.
The mould and spores carry the ‘musty smell’
that is often associated with a damp house.
Black mould is a sign of damp from condensation as it can’t grow where
salt crystals are present (as with rising damp).
Water vapour is generated in your home in many ways but the main
causes are:
• steam from cooking and boiling the kettle
• baths and showers
• drying clothes inside on the radiator
• unsuitable or no venting of tumble dryers
The best way to deal with mould is to remove it from walls using a special
fungicidal wash. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Special
paints are also available that will delay the return of the mould, but unless
you take steps to reduce condensation it will always grow back.
The major difference between condensation and other forms of dampness
is that you have the ability to reduce or solve the problem just through
changing what you do in your home in the home.
Areas prone to Condensation

The following areas are particularly prone to
condensation:
• cold surfaces such as mirrors,
windows and window frames
• kitchens and bathrooms where a lot
of steam is created
• outside walls, walls of unheated
rooms and cold corners of rooms
• wardrobes/cupboards and behind
furniture against an outside wall
Reducing condensation
There are four things to consider when dealing with a condensation
problem:
Heating
Condensation is likely to be a problem in homes which are under heated:
• try to keep temperatures
in all rooms above 15°C
as this will reduce
condensation
Also seek to have living rooms
at 18-21°C for a comfortable
temperature
Insulation
Insulating your home will help in 3 ways:
1. warming surface temperatures of walls,
ceilings and windows
2. helping to keep your home warm and increasing
temperature of the home
3. reducing heating costs allowing your home to be
heated cheaper but to a higher level
Ventilation
Condensation will occur less if you allow air to circulate freely. Make sure
air vents and air bricks are not covered or obstructed.
Reduce the moisture

Condensation in the home occurs when there is too much moisture in the
air. Take all appropriate steps to reduce the amount of moisture in the air
by following the checklists overleaf.
Coughs and Health

Most coughs clear up within 3 weeks and don’t require any treatment. For
more persistent coughs, it’s a good idea to see your local Pharmacist or
GP. For more information use: www.nhs.uk
Damp and your home
Key areas to maintain
Chimney Flashing
Check it is not damaged. Roof Tiles/Slates
Ensure slipped or
Soil Vent Pipe/Stack missing tiles/slates
Ensure there are no leaks. are replaced.
Damp Proof Air Bricks

Course (DPC) Don’t block these
Make sure no rubble or up or let plants
soil is piled against it. cover them.
Gutters
Make sure they are free
Housing flowing and not clogged
Resources Directorate up with leaves etc.
1st Floor, Civic Centre
Darwall Street
Walsall
WS1 1TP
Telephone: 01922 652171 55410 07/15

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Dealing with

Did you know?

Showering, cooking, bathing and

Just by breathing a family of

Living Room Checklist

Areas prone to Condensation

Reduce the moisture

Coughs and Health

Damp Proof Air Bricks

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