Our top tips to keep condensation at bay

With temperatures dropping and the nights drawing in, more householders are confronted with steamy windows and even mildew and mould forming in wardrobes, behind furniture and other areas where air does not freely circulate.

With the cost-of-living situation, the issue is likely to be more of a challenge this autumn and winter, as condensation thrives in colder properties where homes are poorly heated and lacking in insulation.

The Property Care Association free publication, A Homeowners Guide to Condensation in your Property is available at https://bit.ly/3fXNG4a and contains a wealth of information to help manage the situation.

PCA chief executive, Steve Hodgson said: “Mould is often the first indication that condensation is a problem but it can present as water running down internal surfaces, leading to staining, peeling decoration and rot.

“It is usually more apparent in winter as the external air temperature is low.

“With concerns mounting over the cost of heating our homes, we need to be mindful of ways to manage condensation.

“Heating spaces to keep them dry, comfortable and mould free uses valuable energy, so making a few easy adjustments to avoid condensation issues in the first place can help householders
maintain the balance between energy costs and ensuring the home is healthy space to live in.”

The PCA’s online condensation advice includes simple steps to reducing the presence of condensation in the home.

These include:

• Drying clothes outside wherever possible
• Running cold water in the bath before hot (which can reduce steam by 90 per cent). For showers. open the bathroom window a little and keep the bathroom door shut while in there, keeping it closed until the steam has gone.
• Cleaning and servicing fans and vacuuming the dust out of window vents.
• Opening windows and exterior doors to allow excess moisture to escape.
• Putting lids on pans and turning the heat down once the water has boiled.

Mr Hodgson said: “Just a few little adjustments can have a real impact on reducing the presence of condensation in the home.

“The most effective measure is effective ventilation, coupled with having a low background heat for as long as you can.”

To find out more about PCA members with expertise in dampness in buildings at Property Care Association – Home (property-care.org)

Picture: Property Care Association