Condensation Solutions

One of the most difficult aspects of addressing condensation problems is locating the cause of the issue. The reason why this is so difficult is that the list of potential causes, many of which are lifestyle related, is quite long. Understandably, this is particularly frustrating for new homeowners who have just moved into a house that was free of issues, only to find that they are now being forced to look for condensation solutions. Most of the time these people are creating the issue through their own lifestyle and behaviours, but fortunately, lifestyle-centric issues are usually quick to fix.

For those causing increased humidity through showering, cooking or washing, consider investing in a humidistat fan. Humidistat fans moderate the humidity of a given room (particularly useful in bathrooms and kitchens) by detecting moisture in the air and only turning on when a certain humidity level is reached. This completely removes moisture problems at their source.

On occasion, condensation problems aren’t lifestyle based but are the result of structural factors. If specific walls are colder than others, consider the installation of thermally efficient wall linings to keep the walls warm. If the affected walls or ceilings aren’t colder than other surfaces in the house, your problem may instead be caused by poor ventilation. In this situation, you can improve airflow through vent installation in the ceiling, walls, or above windows.

Other less common condensation solutions are devices called positive pressure condensation control units. These take drier air from the loft spaces and mix it with the air below, reducing overall humidity at a very low rate so as not to cause drastic changes in the internal atmosphere.

Whatever your problem, the best cause of action is always prevention. If you can, try to stagger your moisture creating activities, allowing moisture to escape naturally before adding to the water vapour in the air. Leave larger breaks between morning showers, don’t use multiple kitchen and laundry appliances at the same time and avoid cooking without the use of an extractor fan. Often, these subtle lifestyle changes can make all the difference.

If you’re still having issues, contact one of our surveyors and we will be able to assess the scale and reach of your condensation problems through a detailed inspection. From here, we can advise you of the most appropriate condensation solution from the options above.