Condensation Leaflet - Saffron Housing

What is Condensation?
Condensation in the Home
There is always moisture in the air, even if it cannot be seen. As the
temperature of the air drops, it cannot hold all of the moistures it contains and
this appears on surfaces as droplets of water- which are condensation. This is
also visible when you see your breath on a cold day or when mirrors mist over
when you have a bath or shower.
Condensation in the home is something of a modern problem. Back when
most of the housing stock was built, properties were very draughty with single
glazed windows. The structures were very poor at keeping in heat and people
did not produce lots of water vapour from day to day activities such as
tumble driers and showers.
As times have changed we have slowly cut out the draughts from the
properties by fitting better windows, doors and blocking off open chimneys.
During this same period levels of insulation have also increased, as well as
production of water vapour in our homes. This had led to localised areas of
cool areas around the edges of most properties, such as around the top of
windows and doors where the structural lintels are. When there are high levels
of water vapour in the air (65 % plus) and cool areas around the property
(also referred to as ‘cold spots’) condensation can start to form.
This is a natural process that is influenced by the levels of moisture in the air
and the temperature of all the internal surfaces.
There are four areas that, in conjunction, can lead to condensation forming
• Moisture produced by everyday activities.
• Not enough ventilation.
• Underused heating systems.
• Naturally occurring ‘cold spots’.
Cooking, drying clothes, showering – even breathing – will add to the
moisture in the air. If this moisture is allowed to build up it can cause
condensation. This can increase the risk of respiratory problems and can
possibly cause black mould growth on walls, ceilings, furniture and clothing.
Some people do not realise that this mould growth is often caused by
condensation generated by normal household activities, mistakenly thinking
these are signs of damp caused by problems with the property itself. This
leaflet gives helpful advice on how to treat condensation in the home.

If you live in a newly built house and have condensation or damp it maybe
from the water used in its construction drying out-especially if the property
was built during the winter months.
How much airborne moisture can be produced in an average home in a
day?
Two people active for one day = 1.5 Litres
Cooking and boiling a kettle = 3 Litres
Having a bath or shower = 1 Litres
Washing clothes = 0.5 Litres
Drying clothes indoors= 4.5 Litres
Using a paraffin or bottled gas heater = 1.5 Litres
Looking at the figures above, it is possible that the amount of airborne
moisture that can be produced in your home in one day could easily be
around 12 Litres.
There are many ways to tackle the problem:
• Ventilate, or air, the home (do not over ventilate-having all of your
windows wide open when it is cold outside will not help the problem and may
make it worse)
• Keep your home warm.
• Wipe down surfaces where moisture settles.
• Cover boiling pans when cooking.
• When cooking, bathing or washing and drying clothes; close the kitchen
and bathroom doors to prevent moist air entering colder rooms. Do not over
ventilate these rooms-once the moisture has gone from the air close the
windows and allow the rooms to warm up.
• When cooking or washing, open windows or use extractor fans if fitted.
• Cover fish tanks to stop the water evaporating into the air.
• Dry clothes outside where possible.
• Make sure tumble dryers are vented to the outside.
• Do not use bottled gas or paraffin heaters as these produce a lot of
moisture and can also be a health and safety risk if not used and stored
appropriately. This is also in your tenancy agreement.
• Where drying clothes inside is necessary, do so in a small room with windows
open.
• Open windows for a short while each day or use the trickle/night vents.

• Do not block air vents – this is also important where there are open flued
gas and heating appliances present, as they need a constant supply of
oxygen to work effectively and allow gases, such as carbon monoxide, to
escape.
• Allow air to circulate around furniture and in cupboards – you can do his by
making sure cupboards and wardrobes aren’t overfilled and there is space
between the furniture and the wall. Breather holes could also be cut into the
back of wardrobes, for example, if clothes are attracting mould spores.
Keep your home warm:
• When the whole house is warmer, condensation is less likely to form.
• Insulating your loft and walls will help. If yours are not insulated, contact us
on 01508 532000 for details of works planned for your area or advice on
energy efficiency.
• Maintain a low, constant, level of heating when the weather is cold or wet –
this is more effective than short bursts of high heat.
Important things to remember:
• Do not block permanent ventilators.
• Do not put furniture against cold external walls.

What to do if your home is already suffering mould:
The tips set out above should help prevent mould, but what if you already
have the problem?
How do you get rid of it?
• Do not disturb mould by brushing or vacuum cleaning.
This can increase the risk of respiratory problems by releasing spores.
• Mould is a living organism and needs killing to get rid of it. To do this, wipe
down affected areas with a fungicidal wash – one which carries a Health and
Safety Executive approved number – making sure you follow the
manufacturer’s instructions.
Fungicidal Wash
Do not use Bleach or Washing up liquid!
This may temporarily have an effect, but may end up
promoting mould growth in the future.
• Treat any mould you may already have in your home,
and then follow the advice in this leaflet to reduce
condensation. This will restrict new mould growth.
• Mildewed clothes should always be dry cleaned and
any affected carpets shampooed.
• After treatment, redecorate using a good quality antifungicidal
paint to help prevent mould recurring. Please note that antifungicidal
paint loses its effectiveness if overlaid with ordinary paints or
wallpapers.

• Even after treatment, depending on the humidity in the dwelling, it may not
be possible to eliminate all mould patches in some of the more troublesome
spots.
The corners on external walls, for example, are more susceptible to mould
growth when high levels of airborne moisture are present. This is because
these areas lose energy much quicker than the straight sections of wall. This
makes the surface of the corners cooler, allowing condensation to form.
Another problem area is the surface of glazing & window frames (even
double glazing). As the frame and the surface of the glass can be cooler
than the surrounding elements, it can have the same effect as with a cold
glass of beer on a summer’s day-condensation forming on it surface.
I have followed the advice in this leaflet, what do I do next?
If you have followed the advice given in this leaflet, then you should begin to
notice a considerable improvement within a few weeks (possibly longer
during a cold winter). If the problem persists, it may possibly be due to
another cause of damp. There are four main causes of damp;
• Condensation – as discussed in this leaflet
• Rising damp – this is usually very rare as a damp proof course prevents this,
but it can usually be seen by a tide mark above the skirting board.
• Penetrating damp – Usually caused by damage or a problem with the
fabric of the building which means rainwater is able to find its way through
the walls, roof, windows or doors etc.
• Plumbing faults or broken leaking pipes
Rising damp and penetrating damp can be difficult to identify at the early
stages. A leaking pipe can be more difficult to identify, and if you suspect you
may have a leaking pipe then this should be reported to the Repairs team on
01508 532060 as soon as possible.
If you have not seen obvious improvement after following our advice, or you
suspect a more serious cause of damp, please contact us on 01508 532000
and a damp inspection will be organised.