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By Ruth MacEachern
Product Manager
A recent survey found that 1 in 5 households suffered from problems with mould, damp and condensation in their homes as a result of poor air quality. With winter on its way, and people spending more time indoors with the windows closed, it is important to do what you can to improve air quality to avoid the health risks that come from mould including allergies and respiratory problems.
To help you improve the air quality in your home and prevent condensation and mould, we’ve shared 10 tips below:
If you are suffering from high levels of condensation that is causing damp or mould problems, then it is worth having your air quality checked to find out what the problem could be. EnviroVent offer a free home survey from our local ventilation specialists that can help to identify problems and provide advice about the best approach to take to remove them and improve air quality.
Drying washing or towels on radiators or indoor washing lines can release a surprising amount of moisture into the air. Radiators are often positioned near windows, which means that the water vapour from the washing will condense almost immediately when it reaches the cold surface, and this can rapidly become a damp problem.
Where possible, dry your washing outdoors, and if you need to do it indoors, stick to a well-ventilated room or bathroom where surfaces are less likely to be porous and allow moisture to soak in.
A paraffin or portable gas heater might be a quick way to get some warmth into a cold room, but it is also a major source of water vapour from the burning fuel. While gas fires are ventilated to the outside of a home, portable heaters are not, and as a result, they can also release some toxic fumes into the air including carbon monoxide, so should be avoided, particularly in smaller rooms.
Tumble dryers can release a lot of moisture into the air if they’re not correctly installed and used. If you have a ventilation pipe for your dryer, you should ensure that it runs to the outside of your property – either through a window or a duct in the wall. If your dryer uses a condenser, you should empty the tank after each use to avoid evaporation.
Mould grows best in areas which are undisturbed, so tight spots behind furniture such as wardrobes and beds can be an excellent environment, particularly if the furniture is placed against a colder external wall.
Leaving a 2-inch air gap between your walls and furniture means that air can circulate more easily. This reduces the concentration of moisture in the air and helps to retard mould growth.
If you have carpets in your kitchen or bathroom, they can easily become saturated with moisture from cleaning or cooking, and this can create an ideal environment for mould or mildew. Tiles, lino, and laminate floors do not allow water to soak in and this prevents mould from being able to get a foothold.
Extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens are your first defence against condensation, but over time, they can become less efficient if dust or grease is allowed to build up on filters or fan blades. Regularly cleaning the inside of the fan and getting it serviced or replaced if it starts to fail is important to ensure that moist air is removed from the room where the fan is installed.
Condensation forms when air temperatures drop because the amount of moisture that the air can hold falls. On cold days you may notice more condensation forming on windows and walls because of this. Keeping your heating at a low level to maintain a consistent temperature, particularly when people are indoors and creating moisture in the air is a good way of minimising the amount of condensation that will form.
Cleaning products and some deodorant sprays can contain volatile organic compounds including formaldehyde which can cause tiredness, respiratory problems, and allergic reactions.
Consider using environmentally friendly cleaning fluids and avoid the use of home oil burners and scented candles and ensure that rooms are well ventilated when cleaning to prevent any chemicals from building up.
In an average household, four people add more than 60 litres of moisture to the air in the home each week just from daily activities including breathing, cooking and boiling the kettle. Without good airflow in all rooms, this moisture can build up and cause condensation. While extractor fans are helpful in dealing with humidity in a single room such as a bathroom or kitchen, a whole house solution will handle moist air throughout your home.
PIV systems work by drawing in clean, filtered air from outside the building and gently ventilating the home from a central unit. PIV systems replace the moisture laden air and control humidity between 45% and 60% providing air quality benefits that you’ll notice immediately.
If you are finding damp or mould patches in your home and are worried about the risks to your health or damage to your property, we can help. Contact us today to book your free home survey from one of our local ventilation specialists. They will be able to get to the bottom of the problem and recommend the best possible solution to get rid of condensation permanently.
One of our local experts will contact you to learn more about your problems, offer free expert advice and make recommendations for a permanent solution.
During the free survey we will
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