Tips on how to control moisture, condensation and mould in your home

Even though you can’t see it, there is always moisture in the air.

Most moisture in your home is created by everyday activities like washing, cooking, bathing – even breathing! Condensation occurs when water in the air turns into liquid water on a colder surface. It is most likely to appear on windows, colder parts of walls, around external door and window frames and where ceilings and floors meet with outer walls.

It can also appear where air circulation is restricted (such as inside cupboards or behind furniture placed against an outside wall). As warmer air holds moisture better, a colder home will also release more moisture to these surfaces. Condensation is also formed in new homes as the materials used in constructing them (such as mortar and plaster) dry out gently over time.

Here are our Top Tips for controlling condensation in your home:

• Put lids on saucepans when you cook, to reduce the steam.
• When you’re running a bath, put cold water in first then add hot – it reduces steam by 90%.
• If you use a vented tumble dryer, make sure it’s properly vented to an open window or through an outside wall.
• Wet clothing is one of the biggest sources of moisture in the home. It’s better to dry clothes outside if you can but that’s not always possible if it’s raining or you don’t have access to outside space.
• If you need to dry clothes indoors, it’s best to use a clothes airer: drying them on a radiator is the worst thing you can do in terms of managing condensation as this creates  moist air very quickly.
• The bathroom is usually the best ventilated room for drying clothes (an airer rack that fits over the bath is a good idea in a small flat). If your bathroom doesn’t have a fan, open the window slightly and keep the door closed – so that the moisture can escape outside.
• If your bathroom doesn’t have a window, the kitchen is another option for drying clothes, as long as it’s warm, has some ventilation and you keep the door closed.
• Bedrooms are generally the worst place to dry clothes as the heating is less likely to be in the right cycle and we breathe out moisture overnight, which adds to the moisture from the clothes.
• Catch excess moisture by buying small disposable condensation traps for problem windows or other areas. These contain absorbent crystals and only cost a £1 or two. While they aren’t a complete answer, they may help. For an even cheaper DIY version, try a bowl of rock salt on the windowsill or an old sock filled with cat litter. (Replace these when damp.)

If you are concerned about the moisture in your home please contact us on Tel: 03001232640. We will visit your home to assess the situation.