Page last updated at 12:12 GMT, Thursday, October 22 2009
Condensation and Damp
It is important to note that there are different types of
dampness which each have different solutions. The types of dampness
that you might find in your home are:
Condensation is moisture held in the air. The problem
occurs where lots of moisture is being produced, for example
in the kitchen or bathroom, which then settles on cold surfaces and
may result in black mould. This page gives you advice on how to
tackle this problem.
The damp is caused by moisture rising up the wall from the
ground below. This only occurs on ground floor walls and can
usually be identified by a tidemark up to 1 metre above the ground.
The usual remedy is to install or repair the damp proof course.
This is caused by a defect in the outside wall which allows
moisture to come through. You will notice that this type of damp is
worse in wet weather. The solution to this problem is to repair the
wall and check no guttering or drain pipes are leaking.
A small leak over a period of time will lead to a patch of
dampness close to the source of the leak. Fixing the leak should
solve the problem.
The Energy Savings Trust has published a Guide explaining
Energy
Efficient Ventilation - it doesn't have to be a
choice between damp warm air or dry cold air!
If you think your problem is condensation dampness the following
advice should help you.
Where do you find condensation?
- Cold surfaces such as windows
- Cold corners of rooms
- Behind furniture
- In built-in wardrobes
How to avoid condensation
Take the following three steps to reduce your condensation
problem:
Reduce moisture
- Keep saucepan lids on when cooking and use your cooker's
extractor fan if you have one
- Vent tumble driers to the outside
- Avoid drying clothes inside the house. If you have to dry them
inside, use a room where some ventilation can be provided
- Shut the bathroom door when bathing / showering
- Shut the kitchen door when cooking
Raise the temperature
- Condensation is most common in houses that are difficult to
keep warm.
- Taking steps to improve your heating and insulation is the best
way to raise the temperature in the home
- With the range of grants currently available for
these measures they will not cost as much as you might think and
households receiving benefits may be entitled to have the work done
totally free of charge.
Increase ventilation
- You need to provide ventilation without introducing too much
cold air which will decrease the room temperature
- Do this by introducing extractor fans in areas where you
produce a lot of moisture such as the kitchen and bathroom
- Leave kitchen and bathroom windows undraught-proofed to allow
some ventilation
- Move items of furniture slightly away from outside walls to
allow air to circulate behind them
A dehumidifier is expensive to run and will not solve the
problem if the damp is caused by condensation. You will not reduce
condensation dampness unless you take steps to balance the level of
moisture, heat and ventilation in your home.