Condensation

What is Condensation ?

Condensation is releted to the way we heat, ventilate and insulate our homes. In older houses doors and windows were generally less well fitted and had less draught seal than most are today.

This natural ventilation added to the process which reduced condensation. It is a fact that energy-efficient homes are more likely to suffer from condensation, because anything that keeps warm air in will also keep fresh air out, creating ideal conditions for condensation.

Condensation is merely the air's natural moisture, water vapour suspended in air, settling on cooler surfaces. The amount of moisture in the air is called relative humidity.

Where does most water vapour come from ?

The most common sources of water vapour are cooking, drying clothes on radiators, washing up, indoor plants, moisture from newly built houses and extentions, and from the breath we exhale.

Astonishingly, the average family creates up to 20 pints of moisture every day, simply by washing, cooking and breathing. Two sleeping adults extrude two pints of moisture in 8 hours, which is absorbed as water vapour into the atmosphere.

This moisture must go somewhere and be dealt with to avoid condensation.

Where can condensation occur ?

Due to the thermal currents within a house, condensation can occur in a number of places, usually at cold spots i.e. a room or conservatory without adequate heating. Condensation forming on the room side surface of a sealed unit indicates high water vapour content present and inadequate ventilation.

How can I reduce condensation ?

Condensation will take many forms, the most common being steaming windows and, when worse, puddles of water on the window cills. In extreme cases, dark spots of mould will appear around the windows, wall coverings and silicone seals throughout the house.

If you find dark mould spots forming, treat the affected areas immediately with a solution of household bleach or 'Milton' fluid. This will kill the mould spoures and prevent them from spreading to other areas.

Condensation can be controlled by providing natural ventilation to change air on a regular basis and by maintaining an even temperature. This is achieved through ventilating units which are controlled by humidistats, an airbrick, or by opening a window (fortunately, most RedKite windows have a secondary locking position to lock the window open a-jar).

If you have a non-condensing tumble dryer, make sure it is properly vented to the outside of the house. Remember, tumble dryers can create 16 pints of water vapour during one cycle.

All houses with improved insulation or replacement windows are likely to trap moisture build-up. This can normally be identified and dealt with, as long as all the rooms are heated throughout the house, and the air is changed on a regular basis.

Statement: I did not have condensation before my new windows were installed. There must be something wrong with them...

This is a common assumption but, unfortunately, it is also incorrect. Windows cannot produce any water or condensation. Condensation is the result of a build up of moisture caused by our normal lifestyle and the continual improvement and modernisation of our homes. It is wise to attempt to control the amount of water vapour displaced within the household and to provide controlled ventilation to dispel this moisture before a problem arises.