General information

Condensation:

A brief explanation

Condensation causes damage to paintwork, walls & window fittings as well as your soft furnishings. It is a fact of life and directly related to the way we live today.

Years ago there were open fires (chimneys) and more often than not, the windows and doors were a poor fit allowing draughts from all areas of the house. Floors were usually not covered with fitted carpets or laminates and there were air-bricks allowing the house to breathe.

Nowadays, we have for the most part, blocked fireplaces, taken out air bricks and closed up ventilation to stop draughts, fitted carpets wall to wall and covered the walls in coated wallpapers. Loft spaces have been filled with insulating materials and we have fitted draught proof doors and windows.

SO WHERE DOES THE WATER VAPOUR PRODUCED IN THE HOUSE GO?

We cook, do our washing and tumble drying, iron, bathe, boil the kettle and breathe, YES, breathe. Did you know that 2 adults while sleeping produce 1 1/2 pints of moisture in 8 hours—all absorbed as water vapour into the atmosphere. Just coming in sopping wet from a rainstorm your clothing will cause water vapour to be added to the atmosphere, as do indoor plants.

Ventilation is the answer and trying to keep an all over comfortable temperature will help.

This information is just meant to give you a rough idea of some of the ways we get condensation.

A Booklet, ‘Condensation—Some Causes, Some Advice’ is available from the Glass & Glazing Federation and is very helpful.