Because there’s a greater temperature difference between the warm interior of our homes and the cooler outdoors, condensation often becomes more of a problem during winter.
One of the biggest issues with this is that we wrongly assume that condensation isn’t a big deal. When left untreated however, it can in fact lead to bigger problems such as potentially harmful black mould.
The good news is that condensation can be prevented and even removed if you’re prone to suffering from it. Below we have highlighted some simple and effective methods of preventing and removing condensation from your living room.
Ventilate the room
Out of all the rooms in our home, we probably spend the most time in the living area. The combination of the central heating and our body warmth means that there’s a significant temperature difference between the inside and outside of your windows. While this is great for keeping ourselves nice and warm, it provides perfect conditions for condensation to form.
The best way to combat this problem is to ensure that the room is properly ventilated. You can do this is by opening a window, even if it’s just for an hour a couple of times a week. If you’re really averse to letting in the cold air, try using a dehumidifier because this will help to remove any excess moisture.
Avoid drying clothes in the house
If you can dry your clothes outside or in a tumble dryer, try to ensure that you do this. When we dry our garments in the house, excess moisture escapes which causes condensation. If indoor drying is unavoidable, open a window or use a dehumidifier to minimize any damage caused.
Install vents
If condensation is causing you serious issues, it’s well worth getting vents installed. This can include:
- Air bricks. These are bricks which are specially made with small holes in them and are added to outside walls to improve the air flow in a property.
- Air vents for internal walls.
- Roof ventilation tiles or ventilated soffits. These will allow air to enter into your house through the loft.
- Window vents added to the top of your windows.
Insulate your property
Cold spots found on walls and/or ceilings can increase the likelihood of condensation forming. If you notice these in your property, better insulation such as a cavity wall, loft insulation or specialist insulation materials fixed to the outside of your house can all help to improve the situation.
What to do if you already have condensation
Use a dehumidifier – this will help to remove excess moisture from the room.
- The Extractor Fans could evacuate moisture laden air to the outside quickly and effectively.
- The Dry Air Whole House Ventilation Units can provide a sophisticated solution for your home. It works by drawing in fresh, filtered and clean air from the outside and then uses this to effectively ventilate the entire property. Any moisture-laden air is replaced so that humidity levels are maintained, thus reducing and even completely eliminating condensation.
- Warmerwall – an anti-condensation paint that provides an all-round solution for homeowners, preventing condensation by controlling heat flow.
If you suspect that you may have condensation in your property, please feel free to book a survey appointment or call us on 0808 273 2138. We have a dedicated team on hand who can identify any problems and devise a solution that suits your needs.