At this time of year, many householders wake up in the morning to find their windows covered in droplets of water, and become concerned about what the causes are and what they can do about the problem.

Condensation forms in your home when warm air collides with cold surfaces, or when the humidity levels are too high. Condensation is water from the air that collects as droplets on cold surfaces when humid air comes into contact with it. It is especially common in winter, when your central heating system comes on in the cooler hours of the mornings and evenings.

While condensation itself isn’t a problem, if you do not treat it, it can cause damp patches to form where mould can grow. Not only can this damage the fabric of your home and make it unwelcoming, mould can be very bad for your health - especially if you have underlying respiratory, allergic, or immune system problems.

If you are seeing lots of condensation in your home and are worrying about it developing into damp, a free home survey by one of our local ventilation specialists can help you get to the bottom of your problem.

Ways to Reduce Condensation in your Home

1. Use Pan Lids When Cooking

Use a lid to cover your pans when cooking ensure to reduce the amount of moisture that is released into the air when water is boiling. Also, ensure you are using an extractor hood if you have one above the cooker or an extractor fan if you have one installed, these are designed to help reduce moisture created when cooking.

Remember, don’t turn off your extractor fan as soon as you finish cooking as the moisture can still be in the air even after you have finished, instead leave it on afterwards for 10-15 minutes to help to clear the humid air. Many modern extractor fans such as the envirovent Cyclone 8 feature intelligent humidity sensors which speed up when you start boiling water and slow down once humidity levels have returned to normal.

2. Close Kitchen & Bathroom Doors

Bathrooms and kitchens are the worst main sources of the water vapour that creates condensation on windows throughout your home. When cooking food, boiling the kettle, or taking a bath or shower, ensure that your kitchen or bathroom door is kept closed to prevent the moisture in the air from going into colder rooms where it will form condensation when it touches a cold surface.

3. Dry Clothes Outdoors

As much as possible you should try to dry your clothes outdoors to prevent excess moisture from building up in your property - just think how heavy wet clothes and towels are, all that moisture will evaporate into the warm air of your home. If you are unable to dry your clothes outdoor then keep them in a bathroom with the door closed and windows open until the clothes are fully dry.

4. Turn on Your Extractor Fan When Using Your Shower

Similar to when cooking in the kitchen, when you are taking a shower or having a bath you should be sure to turn on your extractor fan to remove steam and moisture as soon as it is created. This is especially important if the temperature in your home is low. This will help reduce the amount of condensation that appears on your bathroom windows and walls.

5. Ensure That Washing Machine Is Correctly Vented

If you have a tumble dryer or washing machine inside your home, ensure that it is vented correctly. From just one load of washing two litres of water is emitted into the air, this effect is only magnified if the machine is fitted in a kitchen as cooking will only add to the condensation.

6. Move Furniture Away from External Walls

You should avoid putting furniture too close to external walls as it affects airflow and creates pockets where damp and mould can develop. Make sure that your furniture is at least 50mm away from the surrounding walls to improve the air circulation around the property. Try to ensure that wardrobes are placed against internal walls in your bedroom as these will be less cold than external walls and less likely to cause damp and mould problems.

7. Install an Extractor Fan

Adequate ventilation is essential to allow the moisture to escape from a property before it turns into condensation. Installing an energy-efficient extractor fan in the kitchen and bathroom can improve the humidity levels and help prevent condensation.

An alternative approach would be to have a whole house ventilation system installed in your home, ATMOS® is a Positive Input Ventilation System that can reduce moisture levels in your home and help prevent condensation.

One of our local experts will contact you to learn more about your problems, offer free expert advice and make recommendations for a solution.

During the free survey we will:

Assess any condensation, damp or mould problems in your property
Take readings of the relative humidity levels
Identify any underlying problems and make recommendations for a solution

8. Open Windows When Weather Outside Is Warmer

If you use a room on a regular basis, such as a living room and the weather is not cold outside, open a window slightly to improve the ventilation in the room. Breathing is one of the main causes of condensation so this will help to improve the ventilation in your property.

9. Wipe Down Cold Surfaces

If you don’t have an extractor fan in your bathroom or kitchen then make sure that you wipe down any cold surfaces when you have been cooking or taking a shower to remove any moisture that may have settled on the surface. This excess moisture in the air sits on the surface and will quickly turn to mould if left untreated.

10. Ensure Your Property Has Adequate Heating

Ensuring an adequate amount of heating in your property will improve the internal temperature of surfaces in the house and reduce the likelihood of condensation. Also, make sure your home is energy efficient by ensuring you have insulated walls and double-glazed windows installed so the heat doesn't escape from the property.

11. Don't Overfill Wardrobes & Cupboards

Do not overfill your wardrobes or kitchen cupboards. A lack of ventilation and air moisture trapped in warm overfilled cupboards can become a breeding ground for mould as the air cannot circulate freely inside. You may notice a musty smell or find that clothes have a damp feeling to them which is a sure sign that the cupboard is overfilled.

12. Stop Using Portable Gas & Paraffin Heaters

Portable gas bottles and paraffin heaters produce a lot of moisture, along with a lot of toxic fumes. Not only is this form of heat causing excess condensation in your property, it is also a health and safety hazard which is stated in most tenancy agreements as not allowed in rented flats.

13. Install Double Glazing, Loft & Wall Insulation

Double glazing, loft insulation and draft proofing will help to reduce the amount of heat that is lost from a property. Installing insulation will help to keep the temperature of the surfaces inside your property at a higher level while making your home more energy efficient and help when heating bills are increasing.

14. Cover Up Fish Tanks & Aquariums

Many families have house pets and plants which produce a lot of moisture. Make sure you cover up your aquarium or fish tanks to prevent excess moisture escaping into the air. If damp patches start to appear on your walls or you start to notice more surface condensation on your windows and walls near to your house plants, then look to move them outdoors.

Find out More

Contact Us today to book a free home survey – our local ventilation specialists can visit you in your home and assess the cause of any condensation or mould problems you might have and give you advice about the best way of preventing any problems getting worse.

Condensation on windows occurs because water vapour in the air deposits itself on surfaces that are at lower temperatures. When moist air comes into contact with the cold impermeable glass surface of your windows, it releases some of this moisture onto the glass as water droplets. This is condensation.

In most cases, internal condensation issues occur because of too much humidity in the room or little to no air circulation. Low internal room temperatures can also create cold surfaces (particularly on windows and exterior walls) which allows warm air to condense onto them easily.

Condensation occurs when warm air collides with cold surfaces, or when there's too much humidity in your home. Condensation is caused by airborne moisture, millions of minute particles of water suspended in the air. When it comes into contact with a colder surface like glass, a cold ceiling or wall, it reaches dew point and turns back into water droplets. When it meets the cold glass of your bedroom windows, the air becomes unable to hold so much moisture, which condenses. Condensation is the result of hot and humid air coming into contact with a cold surface. When this warm, moist air meets this too-cold surface, the moisture in it condenses. In the medium to long term, condensation may cause mould and peel off the paint on the edges of your windows. The cures for condensation are heating (to keep surfaces above dew point temperature) and ventilation (to expel the warm, moisture-laden air to the outside).

Some damp is caused by condensation. This can lead to a growth in mould that appears as a cloud of little black dots. Condensation occurs when moist air comes into contact with a colder surface like a wall, window, mirror etc. The air can't hold the moisture and tiny drops of water appear. While condensation is rarely a problem in the summer, the amount of water in the air (otherwise known as the humidity) inside our homes is higher during the colder months. Condensation on windows occurs because water vapour in the air deposits itself on surfaces that are at lower temperatures. When moist air comes into contact with the cold impermeable surface of your windows, it releases some of this moisture onto the glass as water droplets.

In fact, you're as likely to get condensation on new windows as old windows, and new windows may even increase condensation, since they should reduce draughts in the home. That said, condensation on the inside of windows is something we should try to reduce, since it can damage window frames. There are three basic ways to control the problem of condensation, by looking at relative humidity, ventilation, and insulation:

Control humidity - Control the relative humidity in your home through the use of extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms.
Provide ventilation - Or ensure there is adequate ventilation.
Add insulation.

Simple acts such as turning on the extractor fan – This will help to reduce the steam that forms whilst cooking. Keeping the kitchen door closed – When cooking or boiling the kettle, close the kitchen door so the steam cannot escape into other rooms. Covering pots and pans – This will reduce the moisture that is released into the cooler air. However, there is more to it than just this, closing the kitchen door won't help reduce a severe damp problem as the problem has worsened beyond that point.

Damp can cause mould on walls and furniture and cause wooden window frames to rot. It's also unhealthy. Some damp is caused by condensation. Condensation occurs when moist air comes into contact with a colder surface like a wall, window, mirror etc. The air can't hold the moisture and tiny drops of water appear. Moisture in the air will form condensation (droplets of liquid water) when it comes into contact with a cold surface such as a window. Ventilate so the moist air leaves the house – always use the extractor fan when you're cooking, showering, or bathing, leave any window vents open, and don't block off any other vents.

Check the vents or air bricks to ensure that they are clear. Dry clothes outside if possible. Make use of extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom. Try to leave a gap of at least 100mm between furniture and the wall surface in order to allow circulation.

This moisture can build up and form patches of mould. Occasionally wiping down walls and window frames with a fungicidal wash can help. The NHS recommends that if you use a damp cloth to clean away any mould you should follow up with a dry cloth to remove any moisture, and throw both cloths away.

Most damp walls in modern housing are caused by condensation. You can usually tell by the pattern of the damp and damage, but do not be fooled by the amount of water involved. Some people think they must have a leak because their walls are so wet, but condensation can release a huge amount of water, so that is not a good gauge of whether the problem is condensation or water ingress. Damp doesn’t discriminate. It can occur in any home, from a studio flat to a sprawling mansion. Often caused by failing to keep up with house maintenance, it can prove a real headache. Clothes and furniture can be damaged, and it can also trigger health problems like asthma. That’s why, if you do see signs of damp, it’s best to get to the bottom of the problem as soon as possible.

Excessive humidity is the cause of most window condensation. As the outside temperature drops, the window glass temperature also drops. When moist air comes in contact with the cold glass pane, the moisture condenses and forms water droplets.

You often see condensation in double glazed windows because the surface temperature of the window is cooler than the air inside the room. If the sealant around the double glazing has failed, then the warm air is susceptible to entering the gap between the glass panes. Windows are a key condensation culprit: condensation around windows can be hard to keep on top of especially when raining as rain will inevitably leave water marks on windows. The best way to keep on top of condensation around windows is to be on the look out for any damage to the sealant around the windows as this will allow water in. Try to wipe down windowsills to ensure no excess moisture enters your property's air and open windows as often as possible to allow air to circulate.

Rooms like kitchens and bathrooms are optimum environments for condensation, as bathrooms are usually wet, damp and moist. Showering and bathing inevitably cause water droplets to form on walls and windows and if not properly ventilated and dried quickly, linger, and cause excess moisture to form. The warmth from the steam also keeps the condensation, which you can mostly see on bathroom windows. It is difficult to keep on top of condensation in bathrooms as the biggest prevention is ventilation which is something that can be hard to create and maintain in bathrooms and kitchens.

Condensation on bedroom windows maybe noticed last, especially if it is a room not used very often. Signs to look out for with condensation around bedroom windows are water on the windowsill, damage to window frames and it is also important that you don't ignore black mould on soft furnishings like curtains or cushions.

Interior window condensation is caused by excessive moisture in the house, and it often occurs in the winter when the warm air inside the house condenses on the cold windows. Condensation between windowpanes occurs when the seal between the panes is broken or when the desiccant inside the windows is saturated. Exterior window condensation is simply dew and occurs when the window is colder than the dew point. However, can you get condensation on double glazed windows?

While condensation can be worse on single glazed windows (due to the internal surface of the window being much colder than the internal surface of a double-glazed window) replacing single glazed windows with double glazing is not enough to eliminate the problem. The reason being is that although the inside of your new windows will be warmer, they will simultaneously eliminate draughts. This will reduce ventilation and contribute to the build-up of moisture.

Whilst this does not happen often, condensation can form on the outside pane of a double-glazed window. When it does, it is usually because the unit is performing well and very thermally efficient. It is not an indication that there is anything wrong. The reason it happens is because the external air is warmer than the temperature of the glazed pane’s surface – and the dew point of the air is higher. It is more likely to occur at night or early in the morning when temperatures are low, particularly if there is a clear sky and almost no wind.

Although it can be a pain to have limited visibility until the condensation on the outside pane clears, it’s a good sign that your windows are extremely energy efficient and constructed using low-emissive glass. If you do want to eradicate the issue, there are a few simple steps you can take.

The first is to allow more air and wind to flow past your windows, as this will reduce the chances of this condensation forming. To prevent the window’s surface area from cooling to the point where condensation forms, you could consider creating more areas of shading as this can help to retain warmth. Positioning tall trees, shrubs, plants, or some form of shelter may help you do this.

Could the double glazing be faulty?

Condensation within double glazing typically suggests that there is a problem with the sealed unit of the windows. This means that a point in the edge seal of the window has failed and is allowing moisture to enter in the form of condensation. This form of moisture/condensation in double glazing is often the sign that the sealant between the glass and frame will have to be renewed. Your new windows are most likely showing condensation more than your old ones because they are more airtight – less air is entering your home from the outside. Warm air rises, and since humidity is attracted to cooler air, condensation will often show near the bottom of the glass.

On older or poorer quality units, the sealant used to create the seal (around the windows) may be of a low grade or become loose over time. If the seal and bead that’s supposed to hold the glass in the frame deteriorates, moisture and water can get into the frame. Allowing large amounts of water to settle in the frame like this for a long period of time will eventually affect the ‘air gap’ seal surrounding the two panes of glass.

Sometimes, the uPVC frames themselves will crack and allow water to gather. Another reason why you may see condensation in double glazing is because of a fault with the ‘spacer’ bar. Most double-glazed windows now feature a ‘spacer’ in between the two panes of glass, and this is full of desiccant, a highly absorptive material which sucks up any moisture in the ‘air gap’ void. In fact, you're as likely to get condensation on new windows as old windows, and new windows may even increase condensation, since they should reduce draughts in the home. That said, condensation on the inside of windows is something we should try to reduce, since it can damage window frames.

If there is even the slightest imperfection in the seal, this desiccant can quickly become saturated by any moist air or water which enters. When it cannot retain any more, the moisture then begins to appear as condensation.

In reality, the issue could have been there for quite some time but has only become apparent because the desiccant is no longer doing its job. If you have condensation in double glazing, then it is a sign that the sealant has failed, and this usually means that it will have to be replaced or sealed. If the windows are dated, then replacing the whole unit can be recommended so that the same problem does not occur again.

Interstitial condensation creates structural damping that occurs when moist air penetrates inside the hidden space within an enclosed wall, roof, or floor cavity structure. When that moisture laden air reaches a layer inside the interstitial structure that is at dew point temperature, it will condense into liquid water.

The moisture laden air can penetrate into hidden interstitial wall cavity from the exterior in warm outdoor temperatures and inside the building during cold outdoor temperatures. The resulting structural damage, along with mould and bacteria growth may occur without any visible surface indications until significant damage or extensive mould and bacteria growth has occurred.

Mould Removal

If you're removing mould caused by condensation, the NHS recommends that you wipe it away with a cloth dipped in soapy water. When you're done, use a dry cloth to remove any moisture, and throw both cloths away.

If you find a colony of toxic mould, it is particularly important that you do not disturb it. Touching or moving the mould can cause an enormous amount of harmful spores to be released in the air, to the detriment of you and the people you share your home with.

For other, more common strains of mould, there is a wide variety of mould treatments available that clean the mould, which are easy to use on your own.

A simple solution for removing non-toxic mould from your home is to clean it using a non-toxic, mould cleaning solution. When the mould has been eradicated, it is important to dry the surface thoroughly, in order to prevent the mould from returning.

Another simple yet short-term solution is to kill the mould and nasty marks on your walls with bleach. If you do wish to try this tactic, remember to wear thick clothes (you don't mind getting ruined), rubber gloves and a face guard as both the mould and bleach fumes can be dangerous to inhale. To clean mould off your walls, follow these steps -

Simply mix one part bleach to four parts water.
Using a damp cloth gently scrub until the mould is gone.
Once finished, dry the area well with a soft cloth.

Remember however, this is not a long-term solution, and you really need to tackle the cause of the mould to ensure it doesn't come back.

The Cure to Condensation

The reason condensation appears in your property is due to a lack of adequate ventilation which causes humidity levels to rise. As we spend more time indoors and make our property more energy efficient the build-up of moisture and humidity levels increase.

There are three basic ways to control the problem of condensation, by looking at relative humidity, ventilation, and insulation:

Control humidity. Control the relative humidity in your home through the use of extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms.
Provide ventilation - ensure there is adequate ventilation throughout the property.
Add insulation.

In fact, four people living in a 3-bedroom property would create 112 pints of moisture a week from just breathing, cooking, showering, and boiling the kettle.

So how can you reduce the condensation in your property?

When the air is very warm, like after a hot shower, a lot of condensation will form on the cold coils. Of course, the amount of condensation that forms is also proportional to the humidity in the air, so a humid bathroom creates the 'ideal' environment for a refrigerant dehumidifier to extract moisture, but does a dehumidifier really do enough?

The usual top go-to suggestion for reducing condensation is to purchase a dehumidifier, they're easy to pick up and fairly inexpensive. However, many are unaware of the several cons that are also associated with dehumidifiers. For example, dehumidifiers blow out warm air from the back, which in the summer months can create an excessive and overbearing heat. Dehumidifiers also increase your energy costs meaning whilst they are cheap to purchase, can end up being a costly investment.

If you constantly have to wipe condensation off your windows and have a dehumidifier running for lengthy periods of time (costing you money) then you may want to think about having a whole house ventilation system installed as a solution to reduce condensation and to improve the air quality indoors for your tenants or family.

There are also several easy steps you can take to reduce moisture in the home and minimise the risk of condensation.

More ways to Reduce Condensation and Damp

Check the windows

Over time the sealant around your windows may become damaged and start to allow rain to seep into your home. The water entering the property will cause an excess in the moisture levels resulting in condensation. This type of condensation is known as exterior condensation as it allows the moisture in from outside.

Monitor the moisture

Condensation is the result of excess moisture and is something that can sneak up on us, by investing in a moisture meter you can keep track of these levels before it's too late.

Check the exterior for any damage

Have a good inspection of the exterior of your property, look for cracks and any damage that could be letting water in. Over time parts of your property deteriorate, so it's best to look into replacing windowpanes or the whole window or having the roof re-done.

Use bath mats

Make sure you have a decent size bathmat for your bathroom to avoid saturating bathroom floors when getting a bath or shower. The bathmat should help soak up some of the moisture, helping to reduce the condensation in the room.

Ultimately...

The cure for condensation lies in preventing the condensation from ever occurring in the first place. If you are suffering from condensation problems, then we may be able to help you. We have over 30 years’ experience in the industry and work across the whole of the UK to help solve condensation and mould problems. We have local ventilation experts available, who can carry out a detailed survey and create a report which will tell you exactly what is causing the problem and how to rectify it.

If you are not sure if the problem is condensation or whether it could be rising damp or due to a leak from the roof or guttering, then get in touch to arrange a free home survey and a local ventilation expert will contact you to arrange a suitable time to check whether the problem in your home is due to condensation.

One of our local experts will contact you to learn more about your problems, offer free expert advice and make recommendations for a solution.

14 Ways To Reduce Condensation In Your Home

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