Dealing with condensation

Dealing with condensation in your homeThis leaflet gives information about condensation including what condensation is, where it occurs and some top tips to tackle it.

What is condensation?There is always some moisture in the air, even if you cannot see it. If air gets cold, it cannot hold all the moisture produced by everyday activities and some of this moisture appears as tiny droplets of water, most noticeable on windows on a cold morning. This is condensation. It can also be seen on mirrors when you have a bath or shower, and on cold surfaces such as tiles or cold walls.

In Britain, condensation in houses is mainly a winter problem, particularly where warm moist air is generated in living areas and then penetrates to the colder parts of the building.

The moisture in the air comes from a number of sources within your home. Water vapour is produced in relatively large quantities from normal day to day activities – a 5 person household puts about 10 litres of water into the air every day (without taking into account any heating).

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For example:

• 2 people at home can produce = 1.7 litres

• A bath or shower = 1.1 litres

• Drying clothes indoors = 5.1 litres

• Cooking and use of a kettle = 3.4 litres

• Washing dishes = 1.1 litres

• Bottled gas heater (8 hours use) = 2.3 litres

Total moisture added in one day = 14.7 litres

Up until the middle/late part of the twentieth century, most houses had high natural ventilation as the level of home insulation was low. Conservation then became popular and natural ventilation was greatly reduced by the introduction of double glazing, insulation, draught excluders, fitted carpets (which prevent air movement up through suspended wooden floors) and then the removal of open fireplaces with the introduction of central heating.

Where does condensation occur?The most vulnerable areas will either be rooms where a large amount of moisture is produced i.e. bathroom/kitchen, or on cold surfaces in other rooms where this moisture can travel to. The effects of this process may be visible, for example droplets of water on gloss painted windowsills, but often water droplets will soak into a wall and a problem will not be diagnosed until black mould patches start to appear.

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The following areas are particularly prone to condensation:

• Cold surfaces such as mirrors, windows and metal window frames

• Kitchens and bathrooms

• Walls of unheated rooms

• Cold corners of rooms

• Wardrobes/cupboards and behind furniture against an outside wall.

First steps against condensation You will need to take proper steps to deal with condensation, but meanwhile there are some simple things you should do straight away.

Dry your windows and windowsills every morning, as well as surfaces in the kitchen or bathroom that have become wet. Wring out the cloth rather than drying it on a radiator.

First steps against mould growth First treat the mould already in your home, then deal with the basic problem of condensation to stop mould reappearing.

To kill and remove mould, wipe down or spray walls and window frames with a fungicidal wash that carries a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) ’approval number’, and ensure that you follow the instructions for its safe use. These fungicidal washes are often available at local supermarkets. Dry-clean mildewed clothes, and shampoo carpets. Do not try to remove mould by using a brush or vacuum cleaner.

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After treatment, redecorate using good-quality fungicidal paint and a fungicidal resistant wallpaper paste to help prevent mould recurring. The effect of fungicidal or anti-condensation paint is destroyed if covered with ordinary paint or wallpaper.

But remember: the only lasting cure for severe mould is to get rid of the dampness.

Top tips to tackle condensationThe major difference between condensation and other forms of dampness is that you have the ability to reduce or solve the problem just through changing behaviour in the home. Try following these steps:

Reduce the moistureNormal activities such as bathing, washing and cooking all produce moisture which cannot be avoided. Simple changes however can prove effective in tackling condensation dampness.

Steps to consider are:

• Keeping lids on saucepans while cooking

• Tumble dryers should be vented to the outside

• Drying washing outside when possible

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Increase ventilationThis is required so that moist air produced can escape; simply opening a window will do, or opening a trickle vent (if you have these on your windows).

• When creating steam in the kitchen/bathroom open windows and close doors to these rooms. This will let moisture escape and prevent it from spreading through the house

• Ventilate your kitchen and bathroom for about 20 minutes after use by opening a small top window. Use an extractor fan if possible - they are cheap to run and very effective.

Keep your homes warmCondensation is most likely to be a problem in homes which are under heated. Try to keep temperatures in all rooms above 15°C as this will reduce condensation forming on external walls.

Heat your home at low levels for a long time rather than high levels for short periods; this will ensure that there are fewer cold surfaces in the home.

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Complaints and queriesIf you have any queries or complaints about condensation, please contact Property Maintenance on:

• Tel: 0191 278 8600

• E-mail: property.maintenance@yhn.org.uk

• Or write to: Property Maintenance Your Homes Newcastle YHN House Benton Park Road Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7LX

Useful contact telephone numbers

• Gas Leaks: 0800 111 999

• Power cuts: 0800 668 877

• Gas and Electricity Consumer Complaints Ombudsman: 0330 440 1624

• Winter Fuel Payments: 0845 915 1515

• Age Concern: 0800 169 6565

• Help the Aged: 0191 232 6488

• NCC Tenants Federation: 0191 285 2724

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Your Homes Newcastle Limited.Registered in England and Wales. Registration number 5076256.Registered offi ce:Newcastle Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8PR.A company controlled by Newcastle City Council.

www.yhn.org.uk

This information is about improvements to council homes in Newcastle. If you need this information in your language your ‘Liaison Offi cer’, at your local site offi ce, can arrange for you to speak to an interpreter. Or you can phone 0191 278 8633 to ask for a written translation or for Braille, audio and large print versions.

Operating and cleaningyour Windows

Using the trickle Vents

A trickle vent is located at the top of each opening window.When they are open they allow air to circulate. This will bring fresh air into your home and reduce condensation. To open the trickle vent, pull the hook down:

If you have trouble reaching, youcan use a window pole. This canbe used to pull the hook down orto push it back up again.

If you do not have a windowpole, please contact Shieldfield Housing Office on0191 278 1566.

In some cases the trickle vent fitted may not be the same asthe one above.

Please call 0191 278 8775 if youneed more advice. W-V211/11 Your Homes Newcastle Limited. Registered in England and Wales Registration Number 5076256.

Registered Office: Newcastle Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8PR. A company controlled by Newcastle City Council

www.yhn.org.uk

YHN Modern Homes programme. Investing in our City’s Future

This information applies to Vale House

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