Your property can get damp because of a number of reasons. Leaking pipes, drainage, wastes, and overflows can all cause dampness. Rainwater from defective roof coverings, broken pipes, and blocked or leaking gutter systems can cause dampness. Dampness can also originate on your property because of your property’s raised ground level. Your windows and walls can be an entry point for environmental dampness too. The ineffective damp proof course can either cause your entire property or only certain regions to get damp.1
Condensation dampness is a condition that affects a number of residential and commercial properties. It probably is one of the major causes of environmental dampness on any property. Condensation is the process by which gaseous matter changes into a liquid when it touches a cooler surface. In this context, the surrounding air in your home carries a good amount of moisture. As it comes in contact with any cool surface in your home, the water vapor condenses to form tiny water droplets that get deposited on the cooler surface. Condensation is an inevitable part of the cold winter months and is particularly common in homes that are poorly heated or insulated.
Thus, it’s highly important to maintain a reasonable balance between heating, ventilation, and insulation so condensation does not form on your property. Additionally, a review of your lifestyle can only be great for your efforts to reduce condensation. Here’s a list of a few simple ways that you’d do well to follow when it comes to reducing condensation on your property.
1. Ensure proper ventilation
You can do this by keeping the windows open every day. You also need to make sure that your window’s drip vents are open as they allow additional airflow to combat condensation.
2. Use Extractor Fans While Cooking
If you’re cooking up a meal in your kitchen, you should turn on the extractor fans and run them at high speeds. This will enable the extraction of excess moisture from cooking pots and pans. You could also open up your kitchen windows for extra ventilation. You may leave the extractor fans on once you’re done cooking to get rid of all excess moisture that’s held up inside.
When you’re cooking, remember to always use lids to cover pots and pans that you use. This will avoid moisture from escaping into your kitchen. It’s highly important that you cover your utensils while cooking whether you’re able to see the moisture escaping or not.
3. Ventilate Your Bathroom Properly
There will always be excess moisture in the air once you’re done taking a bath or a shower. To stop condensation, open your bathroom windows and keep the extractor fans on. Remember to keep your bathroom door shut as much as possible so as to avoid moisture escaping into other parts of your home.
4. Ensure Proper Air Circulation
Leave a small gap between your furniture and your walls to allow trapped air to move away from the bottom of the walls. This will ensure proper air circulation in the room. Any lingering air between your furniture and the walls can lead to condensation, which eventually leads to the formation of black mold.
5. Dry Your Clothes Outside The House
If dying your clothes outside the house isn’t possible, then try doing it in an enclosed room that has a window or 2 open. If you use a dryer, then it’s vital that the ventilation pipe doesn’t end up back inside your home.
Any airways on your property, including chimneys, should always be clear enough to allow the free passage of air in and out of your home. Proper ventilation is extremely important for airways as moist air can easily get trapped inside your home leading to excessive condensation and eventual mold growth.
6. Maintain A Constant Temperature At All Times
Try and maintain a constant temperature during all cold climes on your property. As cold air has the potential to cause warm air to release moisture, it is important that you maintain the same temperature throughout your home.
Inspect your roofing, gutter, and drainage system thoroughly for any leaks. In addition, ensure that all downpipes and drain lines on your property aren’t damaged or broken and are carrying water away from your property as intended. You’d also do well to check your basement, foundation, and walls for leaks or seepage.
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