Condensation dampness can cause mould growth and unhealthy living and working conditions. Luckily, there are lots of things you can do to control it.

Condensation dampness occurs when there is an excess of moist air inside a building. The moist air condenses into its liquid state if it touches cold surfaces such as windows, walls or the underside of metal roof sheeting. This type of dampness is a problem because it leads to mould growth and causes unhealthy living conditions.

Excessive moisture in the air is commonly caused by the large volumes of water vapour produced by everyday domestic activities such as cooking, bathing and clothes drying.

The cold surfaces within a house on which condensation usually takes place are ceilings, windows, the tops of walls or areas that aren’t often accessed such as behind cupboards. The underside of the roof covering, especially if it’s a metal roof, can also easily become cold enough for condensation to occur.

Tips for Treating Dampness

Here are some tips for curing your home of condensation dampness:

  • Treat any existing mould in your home before taking steps to reduce condensation. You need to restrict new mould growth first before you install insulation as otherwise your mould problem could get worse.
  • Install ceiling insulation to end simple cases of condensation dampness on ceilings and the top parts of external walls. This stops both the ceiling and the tops of walls from getting too cold and brings with it a significant saving in the amount of fuel needed to
    heat the house in winter.
  • When redecorating your home, be aware that mould regrows through paint or paper so there is no use just decorating over the top of it. Instead use a salt neutraliser on the wall plaster and then brush on an anti-mould paint. Mould loves to grow in the lining of wallpapers but if you really want to wallpaper your home, you can use an anti-mould wallpaper paste to remedy this.
  • Consider putting heavy drapes with pelmets over windows as they create an insulating layer of air, which prevents condensation forming on the cold glass surface. Installing trickle vents in windows is another option that may help.
  • Have thermostatically controlled heating wherever possible.
  • Open windows and cut back shrubbery when the external air is drier. This will increase airflow through the house, which will reduce humidity.
  • Externally vent all water-vapour producing appliances like washing machines, clothes dryers, showers and stoves. Venting into the roof space can cause condensation problems, particularly when the house has a metal roof. All vents should extend to externals.
  • Ensure all cooking, bathing and clothes appliances have enough air circulating around.
  • Install extractor fans in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry. These are available with humidistat control.
  • Cover pans when cooking and let steam escape through a powerful externally vented range-hood
  • Open a window and use an extractor fan for up to 20 minutes after you’ve finished washing.
  • Dry clothes outdoors whenever possible or use well-ventilated rooms with a dry heat source and extraction fan. Do not dry clothes in rooms where soft furnishings can absorb wet heat.
  • Make sure air vents aren’t blocked. Keep furniture further away from the walls to  improve airflow in the room. Don’t fill cupboards to bursting point.
  • Close kitchen and bathroom doors to prevent steam travelling into colder rooms.
  • Wipe surfaces when moisture settles to stop mould forming.
  • Cover fish tanks or think about ways to reduce any moisture caused by household pets and plants.