WELCOME TO OUR CONDENSATION - Our Guide PROJECT
This project is presented by Property Repair Systems
Summary: This project covers the causes and treatment of condensation.
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If you need any help with any type of condensation problem etc.... Property Repair Systems will be pleased to give you completely free, no obligation advice on 01626 331351 or email help@propertyrepairsystems.co.uk. The information you need may be in the project below. If not, call them. They are experts in all matters relating to Condensation and damp in buildings and offer quality products at competitive prices, with full support for both the trade and DIY customers.
What is Condensation and How Does it Form?
All air contains water vapour. The quantity contained depends on the temperature of the air. This ratio is called the ‘relative humidity’. Hot air is able to carry much more moisture than cold air, so as the temperature of air increases it is able to hold a greater volume of water. The water comes from our breathing, bathing, cooking and other domestic activities.
At any temperature, when the air becomes saturated, it will deposit beads of water (condensation) onto any surface that is cold enough. The temperature of the surface at which this moisture will form is called the ‘dew point’. (For an example, take a glass bottle out of the fridge).
If this happens near the ground, to a small layer of air, dew or frost will be formed, if a larger amount of air is involved, mist or fog will arise. If this happens to air that is rising in the atmosphere and expanding. Clouds will form
If it happens in the home....It's called condensation.
As soon as warm air, containing vapour, hits a cooler surface, it will condense. This is most obvious on windows and wall tiles, but it is happening on the walls and ceilings a lot of the time. If we insulate ourselves and warm the house thoroughly, then this should not happen I hear you cry..... But it will! The air temperature will rise until it finds a cooler surface, unless we let that air out and some cooler air in.
In respect to this a change of air is recommended in all rooms in the house, at the very least, once a day.
The affore mentioned can aid in resolving damp and mould issues but for a total solution the problem has to be delt with on a more complete level. View the steps below to cover all eventualities:
Problems and Solutions to Condensation
Condensation is most obvious on mirrors, single glazed windows and wall tiles, but it may also happen on walls and ceilings, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms. If we insulate and warm the house thoroughly, you might think that condensation can be avoided, but unless we keep the moisture content of the air (the Relative Humidity - RH) below about 65-70% RH, condensation will form on the coldest surface. To control the Relative Humidity we need to balance heating with ventilation, or use a Dehumidifier. Without a Hygrometer to show you the actual Relative Humidity this is difficult to achieve.
Condensation is an extremely underestimated cause of damage to our homes. It can significantly contribute to spoiled paintwork, wallpaper and flaking plasterwork. All redecoration using paints should incorporate Anti-Mould Additive: avoid wallpapers if possible, (mould loves to grow in the lining) but if you must paper use an anti-mould wallpaper paste.
The condensed moisture can also react with the plaster ‘skim’ coat and cause ‘salting’ – you may need Salt Neutraliser to eliminate the salt before redecoration.
However, condensation mainly causes black mould on walls and ceilings and can damage our health. Sensitive people (e.g. asthmatics) can be adversely affected by the airborne spores. Apply Anti-Mould Cleaner to kill the spores before attempting any redecoration: decorating over the top of mould will not work – the mould simply re-grows through the paint or paper.
Effects of Condensation
Black mould growth is the most common effect of condensation, but mould can appear in many other colours on carpets, clothing and wood.
This picture shows the effects of condensation in the corner of a room. Note the way that the black mould climbs and concentrates on the coldest part of the wall – an outside corner
If you have problems like this Property Repair Systems can help.
Practical tips to deal with condensation
- Use a low cost Digital Hygrometer to keep your humidity between 55-65% for comfortable living: use the Memory feature to find out what is happening in your building throughout the day.
- Use an Infra Red Thermometer to check your building for cold spots, badly insulated and damp areas. These will be prone to Condensation. Cold spots are building defects – ring Property Repair Systems on 01626 331351 for free help.
- Test walls and floors with a Damp Meter, to make sure that you do not have other damp related building problems – remember a damp wall is a cold wall and is prone to condensation.
- Apply Condensation Test Strips to suspect areas – they change colour if condensation occurs, ruling out some other types of defect.
- Wash down all surfaces with Anti-Mould Cleaner, to kill the mould before redecoration.
- Incorporate Anti-Mould Concentrated Additive in all paints that you use. Use a Dehumidifier – but to make it work effectively close windows and vents. Don’t forget to empty it when full. Dehumidifiers remove the water from the air and also give off warmth.
Anti-mould paints and anti-condensation coatings are available from Property Repair Systems Descriptions for each of these products are as follows:
Anti-mould Emulsion
An excellent, premium quality, low odour' anti-mould coating guaranteed to protect against unsightly and unhygienic black mould even when there is persistent condensation. The unsurpassed performance is achieved by combining modern paint technology with highly advanced, proven biocides. The anti-mould biocide is combined throughout the paint film which is formulated to impart toughness, elasticity, water resistance and durability to the finish.Anti-condensation Coating
A high quality coating recommended for use on areas not subject to abrasion or washing. Typically this means ceilings, underside of roofing sheets, ducting, steel building frames, pipework and inside cupboards. Lectros Anti-condensation Coating inhibits condensation by absorbing moisture and improving insulation; contains a biocide for the sole purpose of protecting the paint in the can applied film from mould growth.
Further Tips to Consider:
- Keep furniture a little further away from the walls so the air has a free flow around the room.
- Do not fill cupboards to bursting point, again, allow the air to flow.
- Make sure the insulation in the loft is not blocking the ventilation provided by the gap between the facia boards and the house wall, or in a lot of cases these days, purpose made vents.
- Install cavity wall insulation, if permissible through building regulations in your home.
- Get the heating thermostatically controlled wherever possible.
- Ventilate tumble driers externally.
- Install extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom. They are available with humidistat control.
- Install trickle vents in windows. The operation is not difficult. The vents come in two halves for inside and outside of the window. Several holes are drilled through the top of the widow head to allow air passage into and out of the room. Flaps are fitted so the vents can be closed and insect grills keep all the creepy crawlies on the outside !
In our video section on damp or mould you will find a short film on "toxic mould" which gives a brief overview on the problems of this particularly nasty mould.
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Click on a tool below for additional information.
 Airtec Double Insulation 1.05m x 25m |
 JG Speedfit Edge Insulation Roll 25 x 0.15m |
 Klima Thermal Board Insulation Pack of 5 |
 Manrose Axial 25W Kitchen Fan+Timer |
 Manrose Chrome In-Line 20W Extractor Fan |
 Thermawrap Loft Insulation 400mm x 5m |
 Vent Axia VA100SVXH Axial 20W Pullcord Bathroom Fan |
 XpelAir Extractor Fan Wall Fixing Kit |
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