How to stop condensation

Affecting an estimated one in five UK properties, condensation is perhaps the most common cause of damp problems in our homes. Our guide to stopping condensation and preventing associated problems like damp, peeling decorations, unhealthy living conditions and black mould growth will explain what condensation is, the causes, and how to deal with problems in your home

If your home suffers from persistent and resilient condensation issues, then take a look at our condensation treatment units page or contact our condensation specialists using the form below.

To understand what condensation is and how it affects our homes, we will first begin with a definition: Condensation is caused when warm, damp air (humidity) is released into the atmosphere of our homes and is unable to disperse outside.

This normally happens because a lack of ventilation in the property allows this water-laden air to come into contact with cold surfaces such as windows and walls where it will condense and release the moisture it holds onto that wall or other surface.

Thankfully there are a number of simple techniques you can try yourself to stop condensation developing into a problem in your property. Read on to see our list of recommended FREE DIY tips to combat condensation.

Unfortunately, serious condensation problems may be resistant to these simple fixes. If that is the case then you may wish to visit our condensation solutions web page to learn what other solutions you can put in place to stop condensation.

It is essential you have adequate air ventilation so the moisture in the air can escape outside and does not build up inside your home. With modern occupancy styles such as double glazing it is harder for air to move freely in and out of your property.  Therefore it is recommended that you keep your windows open as much as possible to allow additional airflow into the building, especially when cooking, showering and drying clothes.

Make sure your property’s airways are clear to allow airflow through your home. Clearing airways will prevent moisture laden air from being trapped in rooms and help prevent moisture from condensing on your walls. Cleaning air bricks with a bottle brush once a year will greatly improve sub-floor ventilation and reduce the possibility of wood rotting fungal decay like dry rot and wet rot.

If possible, leave a small gap of at least 100mm between your walls and furniture to allow for the air to circulate. If air lingers and stagnates it can lead to perfect conditions for black spot mould to form.

If possible dry your clothes outside. If this is not possible put them in an enclosed room with the window open.

Drying clothes on radiators can add litres of extra moisture in your home. If there is no ventilation, the moist air will eventually escape into the property and condense on cold surfaces such as walls and ceilings. Also if you have a tumble dryer make sure that the ventilation pipe runs outside your home as it can also be a common cause of condensation problems.

Whilst condensation occurs in every home, the leading cause of condensation developing is a lack of proper ventilation and circulation in the property.

As we increasingly look to insulate our homes through double/triple glazing, draft proofing, etc; it has the knock on effect of trapping moist air within a property. Without a source of air ventilation that would help to naturally push the damp air out of the property, it instead becomes trapped. 

Eventually, the moist air will come into contact with a colder surface long enough for the dew point to drop, resulting in condensation water beads forming.  Given time, this condensation moisture will develop into property problems like black mould.

Typically moisture and condensation in the home originates from unavoidable everyday activities such as:

• Cooking
• Boiling a kettle
• Taking a shower
• Washing and drying clothes
• General washing
• Certain forms for heating such as paraffin and gas heaters
• Even simply breathing adds moisture to the air