11 Ways To Deal With Condensation In Your Home

Condensation occurs in many houses. And although it may not be a problem, leaving it untreated for too long can promote mold growth, harming your health and causing other problems, including moisture and mildew issues. Addressing the underlying causes of condensation is the best way of preventing it. Below are some helpful insights to reduce the moisture in your home and prevent condensation buildup.

Keep your furniture away from walls

Condensation is most often the source of moisture beneath and behind your furniture. Water accumulates in the air, and this wet air becomes trapped in your furniture. Also, poor airflow and cold surfaces like walls will cause moisture to accumulate and fester. The solution will be to arrange your furniture to improve airflow in your home. For example, keeping your furniture at least 50metres away from surrounding walls is advisable to allow air circulation throughout the home. Also, consider placing your wardrobes against internal walls in your room, which will be warmer than exterior walls and less prone to condensation and mold issues.

Close your kitchen and bathroom doors

Condensation is most common in bathrooms and kitchens. So whether you are cooking, boiling a kettle, or having a shower, always keep your bathroom or kitchen door shut to prevent excess moisture in the air from entering cooler areas of the home. The moist air can condense if it comes into contact with a cold surface. If these areas don’t have doors, a solution will be to install an extractor fan in your bathroom and turn it on when running the shower. This can prevent the hot running water from re-forming into condensation.

Dry your clothes outside

Many people are guilty of drying their clothes inside. This is particularly the case during winter when it is nearly impossible to dry anything outside. Fortunately, you can do a few things to reduce the moisture levels indoors to the barest minimum. Dry your clothes in the bathroom and turn on the extractor fan if necessary. You can also use the tumble dryer if you have one. However, it is worth mentioning that tumble dryers can raise moisture levels, so ensure it is well-ventilated. Otherwise, do all your drying outside or open the windows of the room you dry them in.

Cover your cooking pans

Cover your cookware with a lid when cooking to limit the amount of moisture released by the boiling water. You can also use the extractor fan if you have one above your stove since they are designed to help decrease moisture buildup during cooking. Keep the extractor fan on for a while, even after cooking, since moisture can linger for a little bit longer. Keeping it for 10 to 15 minutes can help reduce the humidity. Also, keep your windows open if you don't have an extractor fan to allow fresh air and return the humid levels to normal.

Install insulation

You can install insulation to prevent condensation. However, improperly doing so might create more condensation and moisture problems in your walls, basement, or attic. When this occurs, it is typically because the installation was too thick, preventing moisture from escaping. Therefore, research the finest type and quantity of insulation suitable for your property if you are going to DIY. Additionally, consider if you have any moisture-related problems in your home, and know your alternatives before beginning any job. Otherwise, consult an HVAC specialist to avoid further condensation problems and additional reinstallation costs.

Improve your ventilation

Ensuring proper ventilation of your home can lower moisture levels and prevent condensation. Moisture is unavoidable so improving your ventilation is a must if you want to keep condensation at bay. One of the simplest methods is to leave windows and doors open as much as necessary. This is particularly important if you live in a tiny apartment with insufficient airflow. Condensation will eventually form if there is no outlet for moisture. Improving your existing windows to boost ventilation and push out moisture-laden air would be best. You can check out Renewal by Andersen Windows for bespoke ideas to improve your home's ventilation.

Avoid overstuffing your wardrobes

It doesn't matter whether you have a fitted or free-standing wardrobe; both can suffer condensation when there is poor ventilation or air circulation. Wardrobes trap air which is a common cause of condensation. However, good ventilation is the most effective approach to minimizing moisture in your wardrobe, and you can accomplish this in various ways. For example, regularly open your wardrobe doors to allow air to circulate inside and avoid overfilling it. It is easier for dampness and mold to form when your wardrobe is fully packed. If you use it mostly for storing clothes, make sure that the things you store in it are entirely dry.

Ensure your washing machines are well ventilated

Ensure your washing machine is properly vented if you have one in your home. Just a load of washing can emit two liters of water which is subsequently released into the atmosphere. The impact is greatly amplified if the machine is installed in the kitchen, as it adds to the condensation generated from cooking. You can use a ventilator in your laundry room to prevent this. It is also advisable to leave the machine doors open between loads to allow air to circulate inside.

Use a dehumidifier

Dehumidifiers are a low-cost method for reducing moisture in the air while maintaining humidity levels in the home. For them to be effective, it is better to position them in areas with the most moisture buildup. There are a few things to remember when going for a dehumidifier. For instance, regularly empty the dehumidifier; otherwise, you would have a black mold problem, defeating the idea of having one in the first place.

Keep the home warm

Keeping your house consistently warm can help reduce moisture, especially during winter. Condensation will occur when warm air collides with cold walls. For this reason, it is essential to keep your house warm to prevent your surfaces from becoming cold enough to cause dampness. You can set timers to turn on your heating regularly throughout the day. You can also make good use of the free sunlight.

Open your curtains, for instance, to allow the sunlight to enter your home for free heat. Close them when it gets dark to preserve the heat inside. Additionally, properly regulate your heating so your home won't experience unexpected temperature drops. It may appear convenient to heat only a room or two to save energy. However, it would be best to heat the entire home to avoid any condensation problems.

Don't allow condensation to settle

If you see condensation collecting in your house, it is always best to wipe moist surfaces down rather than allowing them to settle. Remember to wring out the fabric in the sink instead of drying it in the room. Allowing condensation to rest on surfaces for more than six hours generates the conditions necessary for mold to grow. Unfortunately, this can destroy surfaces by staining in some circumstances.

Consider these tips if you are experiencing a lot of condensation in your home. A few signs include black mold, damp walls, peeling wallpaper, a musty smell, and steaming windows. However, it can be useful to talk to an expert if you are unsure whether you have a condensation problem. The experts will arrange for a home inspection to get to the bottom of the issues, so keep this in mind.