Condensation

What causes condensation?

Condensation occurs when the warm air in a room comes into contact with a cold surface, such as a window, mirror or wall, and turns into water droplets. This happens more in rooms where there is a lot of moisture, such as bathrooms and kitchens, and in rooms where there are a lot of people.

Moisture from the air can come from normal day-to-day activities such as; using the kettle, cooking, bathing, breathing and washing/drying laundry.

What are the indicators of condensation?

Water droplets on cold surfaces
Black spot mould
Wet rot – on skirting boards
A musty smell
Spoiled paintwork or plaster

Preventative measures

Don’t dry laundry on radiators
Dry clothes outside where possible or on a clothes airer in a cool room
Make sure tumble dryers are vented correctly
Keep lids on pans when cooking
Whilst cooking or bathing, close doors to other rooms
Use extractors in kitchens and bathrooms if you have one
Open windows if it’s not damp outside
When running a bath, start with cold water first
After a bath or shower try to ventilate the room to the outside not to the rest of the house
When people come in with wet coats, try to hang the coats outside of the living area to dry
Consider changing the fuel you use. Electricity is the driest, paraffin probably the wettest
Consider using a dehumidifier. They don’t cost a lot and can remove a surprising amount of water from the air
Wipe down tiles to remove surface water
Don’t place furniture against an outside wall
Wipe down windows of water droplets

If after following these guidelines you are still getting a build-up of condensation in your home, contact us and we may be able to find an answer to the problem.

Effective use of heating

Keep thermostats at a warm temperature, not too hot. A constant temperature is much more energy efficient as the boiler won’t need to work as hard.

Contact Energy Extra on 0121 5611969 for free advice on the cheapest energy provider and gives helpful tips on reducing the amount of money your household spends on energy.

What the Group will do

The Group will treat the area affected by the mould, it is then up to the tenant to make sure preventative measures are carried out.

Is damp or condensation present at my property?

If yellow water marks are present on ceiling or walls, or you are unsure that your property has condensation please contact the repairs line on 01952 217217.

For further information please look at our guide to reducing condensation in your home (PDF 181kb).