Reducing Condensation in Your Home - Reading Borough Council

Housing ServicesJune 2011Your guide to ReducingCondensation in your Homeand Keeping your Home Free fromDamp and Mould

Damp and MouldDamp, condensation and mould are common problems in manyproperties. Damp or mouldy environments may causerespiratory health problems to worsen. It is important that youtake steps to reduce damp and mould in your propertyTypes of damp in the homePenetrating Damp is caused by waterseeping into the property from leakingpipes, guttering, overflows or holes inthe roof etc. This type of damp leaves a‘tidemark’ around the affected area.Rising damp (ground floor only) is caused by moisture inthe ground being sucked up by the walls ofthe property. This is due to a defective ormissing damp-proof course. The damp will notrise more than a metre up the wall fromground level.Rising damp can cause flaking plaster andrender and salt deposits may be seen oninternal walls and external brickwork.Condensation is the most common type of damp. There isalways moisture in the air and when theair reaches cold surfaces (like windows)tiny drops of water appear.Condensation mostly appears during coldweather in places where there is littlemovement of air, for example in cornersof rooms, behind wardrobes and nearwindows. Continual exposure to moisture will cause mould togrow in these places.2

Can I get rid of condensation?Yes - there are a number of things that you can do to reduceand even get rid of condensation from your home.1. Make less moistureWipe the water from your windows and sills with acloth - but make sure you wring your cloth out in the sink. Lotsof people put the wet cloth on a heater to dry – the water thenevaporates back into the air and re-appears as condensationwhen the temperature drops.Wipe the water off every time it appears to get rid of the excessmoisture in your home.Don’t dry washing inside your home –all the water from your clothes will gostraight into the air and as soon as the aircools you will get condensation on yourwindows and walls.Put lids on your saucepans when cooking – thiskeeps steam in the pan and saves money on your fuel bill.Don’t use paraffin or bottled gas heaters – they producelots of moisture – burning one gallon of paraffin puts about onegallon of water vapour into the air which re-appears ascondensation on your windows or other cold surfaces.Vent your tumble dryer outside – ifyour dryer is not self condensing make sureyou put the hose out of a window to ensurethe hot moisture filled air produced by themachine does not condense inside your home.Opening a window is not enough.You can get hose kits from most electrical andDIY stores.3

2. Increase the ventilationUse the trickle ventilators or night vents in yourwindows. You need a good air flow to helpget rid of moisture which is produced in yourhome all the time. Modern windows have pulldown flaps to help ventilate your home – keepthese open as much as possible so damp aircan escape. Some windows have a night ventso the window can be locked with it open just 15 to 20 mm4Trickle VentOpen a window when cooking and after showering/bathing. Boiling pans, hot baths and showers produce lots ofsteam – opening a window ensures thissteam condenses outside rather than insideyour home. It also helps to keep yourkitchen and bathroom doors shut whenthese rooms are in use and for about 20minutes after to stop moist air getting intoother rooms. When your kitchen, bathroomor other rooms are not in use, leave doors open so heat canspread evenly through your home.Allow air to circulate where possible. Avoid puttingfurniture against outside walls of your home. Inside walls(between rooms) are always warmer and are less prone tocondensation. Leave a gap between the wall and the furniture soair can circulate and ensure that wardrobes and cupboards areproperly ventilated to prevent mould growing inside them.3. Keep your home warmWhen moisture condenses on your walls itmakes them colder. This causes you to loseheat and increases the risk of mould growing. Itthen takes more energy to heat your home to acomfortable temperature which costs more.

Heating your home efficiently helps reduce condensation andcould save money on your heating bills. Its important to keepyour home above 18 °C (63°F ) most people find a comfortableheat is around 21°C (70°F). Condensation is sure to occur if youlet your home fall below 18°C4.Remove mould as soon as you find itYou MUST remove mould as soon as you find it to stop itspreading and causing more damage to your home. You can getspecial cleaning products from DIY stores (always follow themanufacturers instructions) or use a good quality bleach mixed 1part bleach to 4 parts water (but remember bleach may take thecolour out).How to run storage heaters efficientlyStorage heaters have 2 dials under the flap:•An “OUTPUT” or“ROOMTEMERATURE”dial whichcontrols theamount andspeed at whichheat is released into your room during the day•An “INPUT” or “AUTOSET” dial which controls the amountof heat which goes into the storage heater overnight.Setting your controls as shown in the table below is the mostefficient way to run storage heaters and this will help reduce therisk of condensation in your home.Input or Auto set Set control between 5& 6Ensures heater is fullycharged overnightOutput or RoomTemperatureSet controlBetween 2 & 35Ensures heat is released at aconstant rate during the day

Points to RememberProduce less moisture:•Cover your saucepans when cooking•Dry your washing outdoors•Vent your tumble dryer to outside•Avoid using paraffin or flueless bottled gas heatersVentilate to remove moisture:•Open a window when someone is in•Increase ventilation in the kitchen and bathroom•Shut the bathroom/kitchen doors when cooking/bathing•Ventilate cupboards wardrobes and do not block vents inchimneysInsulate and draught proof:•Check that your loft is properly insulated•Draught proof windows and external doors•Consider cavity insulation if not doneHeat your home a little more:•Keep low background heat on all day (if possible)•Find out about benefits and help with fuel billsDO NOT:•Turn your radiators or storage heaters off•Turn off or isolate extractor fans•Dry your washing on radiators•Put too many clothes in your wardrobes/cupboards•Use washing up liquid to wipe down mould•Paint over mould. It must be properly cleaned and paintedover with special paint available from your local DIY storeREMEMBER:The only lasting way of avoiding severe mould is to eliminatedampness. Condensation causes damp and then will lead tomould. The only real way to reduce condensation is heat andventilation.6

Useful ContactsHousing repairs: 0800 318 296Neighbourhood Services: 0118 937 2161Housing Complaints 0118 937 2905Energy Saving TrustThe Energy Saving Trust is a non-profit organisation that providesfree and impartial advice on how to reduce the amount ofenergy you use and save moneyFree advice for householders: 0800 512 012Web:www.energysavingtrust.org.ukJobcentre Plus &DirectgovFor information and advice about benefits and cold weatherpayments:Jobcentre Plus: 0845 604 3719Adelphi House, Friar Street, Reading RG1 1HDWeb: www.direct.gov.uk/en/moneytaxandbenefits7

If you need help to understand how to reduce condensation anddamp in your home please contact your Neighbourhood Officeron 0118 937 2161The information in this booklet is available in other formats (suchas Braille or audio) or languages on request.Please contact Neighbourhood ServicesReading Borough Council Housing Services, PO Box 2624,Reading RG1 7WB8