Expert Solutions to Prevent and Stop Condensation
Full Report On The Source Of The Problem and RecommendationsCondensation Treatment
Atlantis Property Preservation specialise in the correct diagnosis and remedial action of dampness in your residential or commercial property in Northwich, Cheshire and surrounding areas. We often see general builders diagnosing rising damp or penetrating damp when condensation is the main issue.
There are typical signs that condensation is causing the damp issue in your property. One sign is mould growth, which can cause decorative spoiling, fabric and leather damage and also impact your health .
Condensation results in surface moisture which can lead to incorrect diagnosis of rising damp or penetrating damp, for an inexperienced surveyor or general builder using a moisture meter on your property walls. Often, the condensation issue should be resolved before reassessing the property walls for rising or penetrating damp.
Our expert team is here to help you identify the root causes of condensation and provide tailored solutions to effectively resolve the problem. Whether it’s improving ventilation, installing moisture control systems, or offering long-term preventative measures, we are committed to creating a healthier and more comfortable living or working environment for you.
Get in touch with Atlantis Property Preservation to see how we can help resolve your condensation issues.
What is condensation?
All air around you holds moisture, and the temperature of the air around you determines how much moisture it can hold, and warm are contains more moisture than cold air.
When warm, moist air comes in contact with a surface that is cooler than it is, ie a window pane or uninsulated external wall, the warm are, cools down and is unable to continue to hold the moisture as it did. This moisture laden air settles on a cold surface and mould can soon form.
Condensation is by far the most common cause of dampness in buildings, probably accounting for the majority of damp problems reported. It affects both old and new buildings and it appears to be a significant problem where the building has been modernised due to the fact that effective double glazing and insulation prevents the extent that the property can naturally ‘breathe’. As a society, we are spending more and more time indoors, and this factor also contributes to the increasing levels of moisture in your home and the nasty effects of the condensation you may suffer from.
Condensation is directly associated with peeling wall paper, wet window reveals and mould growth. It is this that the occupier sees first, and it gives an indication of the potential scale of the problem. The mould is usually found on decorative surfaces, especially wallpapers, where it can cause severe and permanent spoiling. In many cases, the mould can give rise to complaints about health, and cause the musty odour frequently associated with a damp house.
Where Does Condensation Occur?
The obvious places for condensation to occur are on cold walls and floors, but it can also occur in roof spaces and in sub-floor areas where there is a timber suspended floor. In the latter cases, it can lead to dry rot or wet rot developing in floor and roofing timbers. Atlantis Damp Proofing and Timber Specialists are able to provide expert condensation advice relevant to your property.
How To Alleviate Condensation
Improving ventilation and removing sources of penetrating damp will help to alleviate the problem as this will help to reduce the moisture content in the air inside your home. Furthermore, to reduce the risk of dew point temperature being reached (the temperature where moisture droplets will form), it may be necessary to warm up the surfaces of the walls as well as ventilating the property. This two-pronged approach of increasing ventilation and increasing the surface temperature will help to alleviate the visible signs and negative health effects associated with condensation.
We offer a range of ventilation systems, which include traditional or economical sleeved wall vents which will alleviate condensation with little or no heat loss and mechanical vents that are whisper quiet, energy efficient and low maintenance to create a healthier living atmosphere, alongside our insulating options.
Our surveyor will investigate fully the source of condensation within your property and explore the suitable method of treatment. All of the results and feedback will be provided in a full written report, along with recommendations and details of the cost.
Can Atlantis Property Preservation help solve my condensation problem?
In a word, yes! You can trust Atlantis Property Preservation so carry out a thorough inspection or survey of your property to establish if your damp problem is due to condensation. Contact us now!
What is the difference between condensation and other types of damp?
There are three main types of damp. Rising Damp, penetrating Damp and condensation. Rising damp occurs when the damp proof course has failed, and moisture travels up from the ground. Penetrating damp is caused by moisture entering your property from the outside. Condensation has some tell tale signs to look out for, including
- Black mould growth
- Water dripping down walls
- Any type of mould growth where air flow is limited – like wardrobes, behind sofas and curtains.
- Cresent shape marks in corners of your room.
If you see these tell-tale signs in your home, contact Atlantis Property Preservation now.
What causes condensation?
There are a number of causes for condensation in your home.
- Warm, moist air colliding with cold surfaces: This is the primary cause of condensation, often seen on windows and walls. You will often see mould growth more prevalent on north facing walls, external walls and protruding walls, such as bay windows, as these are the colder areas of your home.
- High humidity levels: Excess moisture in the air can lead to condensation, especially in areas like bathrooms and kitchens. We create a lot of moisture, and our homes do not always have enough pathways so the moisture to escape, so it condenses on walls.
- Temperature differences: When the air inside the home is warmer than the outside environment, condensation can occur. This is why condensation signs are more prevalent in the winter.
- Moisture sources: Activities like showers, cooking, using tumble dryers, drying clothing on radiators can contribute to excess moisture in the air, leading to condensation.
Contact Atlantis Property Preservation now to see how we can help reduce the causes of condensation in your home by improving the ventilation and insulation in your home.
Is mould hazardous to my health?
Not all mould is hazardous to health, but some types can pose risks, especially for certain individuals. For example, where black mould is present, individuals with existing respiratory issues, such as Asthma and COPD, may be at enhanced risk. Mould exposure can cause symptoms like nasal congestion, coughing and shortness of breath. You may be familiar with the tragic case of 2 year old in Rochdale dying after prolonged exposure to severe mould growth. Action should be taken if you see black mould growth in your home, contact Atlantis Property Preservation now to discuss solutions to your black mould issue.
How do I get rid of mould in my home?
The main reason mould keeps coming back is that the causes of mould haven’t been dealt with. Mould will grow on surfaces that have been damp for over 24 hours, so drying moist surfaces and ventilating rooms will prevent mould from forming. You can also reduce mould growth by keeping on top of cleaning mould growth when you see it. This can easily be done with a 4:1 water and bleach cleaning solution. By cleaning off a small amount of mould when you see the first signs, you will help to contain its growth. This is because you are preventing the mould spores travelling around your property.
Damp surfaces provide ideal conditions for mould and mildew to grow, and mould can cause serious health problems. So, it’s vital to get rid of mould and stop it from coming back.
To stop mould:
- Prevent walls from getting damp by opening windows or turning on an extractor fan when showering or bathing. After your shower open the bathroom window and close the bathroom door to allow the moisture laden air out.
- Consider installing more effective ventilation solutions, such as Passyfier Vents or PIV systems.
- Dry damp walls using a towel within 24 hours to prevent mould from growing
- Clean, disinfect and dry surfaces prone to mould growth
- Consider warming up areas prone to condensation, with more effective insulation solutions.
Contact Atlantis Property Preservation now to see how we can help you get rid of the mould growth in your home.
How can I stop mould growth coming back in my home?
- Remove mould by washing it away with ready to use mould and mildew spray or a mix of one part bleach to four parts water.
- Dry all surfaces after washing
- Disinfect wooden surfaces
- Replace cardboard storage boxes to get rid of any remaining mould spores
- Throw away soft items that are mouldy and can’t be washed
- Shampoo soft furnishings
- Vacuum
- Introduce ventilation system such as whole house PIV.
- Contact Atlantis Property Preservation now to see how we can help stop mould growth coming back by improving the ventilation and insulation in your home.
Are certain property types more prone to condensation?
Condensation affects all types of properties from back-to-back terrace houses, to large detached properties and everything in between.
The construction of your home makes a big difference in many ways:
- If your house has a solid concrete floor. In older properties, original suspended floors have been filled in with concrete. This change reduces the opportunity for air flow that would have originally been a moisture pathway in the property.
- One external door can also impact as limits airflow through the property, which may help condensation to form.
- Solid wall properties, are more likely to suffer with condensation than cavity wall. This is due to the fact that the inner leaf of a cavity is warmer and not exposed to external elements as much as a solid wall.
- Homes with structural issues, may be prone to condensation. For example an external solid wall with missing pointing or porous brick work will lead to moisture ingress, which makes the internal wall colder, and therefore more likely place for mould growth to form.
Improvements made to older properties, can also increase the risk of condensation:
- Installing wood burners blocks up chimneys originally open, preventing moisture escaping through the chimney pathway. Where a fireplace has been blocked up entirely, ventilation air bricks should always be installed.
- Installing newer/ uPVC windows and doors removes the pathway for moisture laden air to escape as it traditionally would. Where new uPVC i=windows are fitted, they should be supplied with a trickle vent to allow some moisture laden are to escape the property.
- Installing laminate flooring over ground floorboards. Laminate can act as a vapour barrier, meaning that any condensation formed in the sub floor void is held there. This can cause significant issues in the subfloor void, such as wood rot and timber infestations.
- Lack of ventilation solutions in renovated bathrooms and kitchens. Failure to have a suitable extractor fan in your bathroom and kitchen, and failing to maintain it, will also impact the condensation in your home. Additionally, you should ensure that fans are directed outside, not into roof spaces.
Contact Atlantis Property Preservation now to see how we can advise on solutions to reduce condensation in your home.
What impact does how I live, have on the condensation in my property?
You can certainly make choices as an individual to reduce condensation in your home. Here are some tips:
- Dry cloths outside wherever possible and open window if drying inside.
- Always vent tumble dyers externally.
- Always keep bathroom window open when showering and for at least 15 minutes afterwards.
- Open window/ use extractor fan when cooking.
- Clean/ change filters of bathroom and kitchen extractor fans.
- The more people, and animals, that live in your home, the more condensation will be an issue to be mindful of ventilation options wherever possible.
Contact Atlantis Property Preservation now to see how we can advise on solutions to reduce condensation in your home.
What steps can I take to reduce condensation in my home?
- Open windows in bedroom at night, on latch
- Open bathroom windows
- Open kitchen windows when cooking
- Dry clothes outside
- Keep constant background temperature of no more than 16 degrees.
Contact Atlantis Property Preservation now to see how we can advise on solutions to reduce condensation in your home.
Why am I getting mould growing on my clothes and shoes at home?
Mould and damp are caused by excess moisture in the air that has no way of escaping. Excess moisture can come from condensation left on a surface or steam created through showering, cooking or drying clothes. Mould spores often gather on soft furnishings, such as the back of fabric sofas, behind and in the folds of curtains, on leather shoes in a n understairs cupboard or your clothes in a build in wardrobe on an external wall.
Contact Atlantis Property Preservation now to see how we can advise on solutions to reduce mould growth in your home.
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