Condensation

What Causes Condensation?

Condensation is the result of a build-up of moist air, or it might be due to extreme temperature differences; many London homes have condensation issues, which can be treated in a number of ways.

Here are the most common causes of condensation;

• Insufficient heating
• Moisture builds up when running hot water and cooking
• Drying wet clothing indoors
• Leaking roof
• Leaking walls/water pipes
• Defective damp proof course

It could be a combination of several of the above that leads to droplets of water forming on hard surfaces and if you would like a professional evaluation of your London home, we are the go-to company that has all the solutions. While we do not carry out damp-proofing work, we do have a close working relationship with the best condensation specialists in London.

Condensation Caused By Rising Damp & Penetrating Damp

It isn’t always ventilation and lack of heat that causes droplets of water to form; rising damp is a serious threat to London properties and it can lead to droplets of water forming on windows and walls. The same goes for penetrating damp, when moisture enters the interior from the roof or external walls; tell-tale signs include peeling wallpaper and bubbling paint, while mould can also thrive in damp and humid environments. If mould is present, a ventilation flow test is required to measure air movement; our surveyors use cutting-edge tools to assess a building and if you have condensation problems in your home, call out the damp experts at London Damp Proofing and we can source the root cause and make recommendations for a long-term solution.

Preventative Measures to Combat Condensation

There are things that you can do to minimise the risk of condensation in your home, such as:

• Periodic heating of the whole house – While it is not economical to heat rooms that are not in use, you should turn on all radiators at least for a few hours every few days, as this keeps moisture at bay.
• Generate a strong airflow throughout the house – Mould thrives in a still and damp atmosphere, so make sure you have good ventilation, which can be achieved by opening windows and/or the use of extractor fans.
• Do not dry damp clothes in the house – With the damp climate, it is very tempting to dry wet garments inside, but this transfers a lot of moisture into the air, which leads to condensation.
• Open windows when running a hot bath/shower – Keep the door closed when taking a hot bath/shower and the open windows allow the moisture to escape the room.
• Turn on the canopy fan when cooking – Extractor fans remove cooking odours and steam, while opening windows helps.
• Use of a portable dehumidifier to dry out the air – Investing in a portable dehumidifier enables the drying out of damp spaces, especially in the cold winter months.

If condensation does form on the windows in the winter, use a dry cloth to wipe it up, which will prevent damage to the timber frames.

Cavity Wall Insulation

Condensation can be the result of extreme temperatures meeting and injecting a special foam into wall cavities adds a level of thermal insulation and that can often resolve the issue. This is a long-term solution to condensation, while it also reduces energy consumption and keeps the house warm.

Free Advice From Condensation Specialists

When you book a damp survey with London Damp Specialists, our PCA-certified surveyor can offer you free advice regarding condensation, plus a free, no obligation quote for recommended work. If you are concerned about finding a good damp specialist in London, we work closely with one of the top damp-proofing contractors with more than 40 years of hands-on experience in treating damp, mould and timber rot.

At London Damp Specialists, we offer professional damp surveys at very competitive prices and if you have condensation issues, call us or enter your details in our online booking form and we will get back to you shortly.