How to Stop Condensation at Home

Source: Shutterstock / Author: Venera Salman

Are you looking for ways to reduce condensation in your home? Condensation is unpleasant and unwelcome wherever it rears its damp head. It looks bad, can ruin curtains or blinds, and can even lead to patches of dampness and mould forming. No matter how often you wipe away the water it always gathers again as if to mock the futility of your actions, don’t lose hope.

Follow these steps to minimise condensation inside your home and reduce humidity levels.

What is condensation?

Condensation is the process of water droplets forming when warm, moisture-filled air comes into contact with a colder surface or when the humidity levels in a home become too high. As the warm air meets the cool surface, it rapidly cools down, causing the water vapour to transform into tiny liquid droplets that settle onto the colder surface.

If this is left untreated it can cause paint to peel as well as unsightly growths of black mould which can spread to curtains and furniture, this mould can also lead to a variety of health problems such as bronchitis, and among the heftiest tasks for move out cleaning.

What causes condensation?

After noticing condensation inside your home, it’s crucial to pinpoint the root cause. Any activity that involves water evaporation can raise humidity levels and trigger condensation. There is always water in the air but the amount can be greatly affected by many factors, the most common of which are as follows.

Common signs of condensation

The first sign of condensation is fogging up and streaming windows before wallpaper and paint peel, black mould patches appear, and musty odours emerge. If you notice dampness in your house, look for these signs:

How to get rid of damp and stop condensation

To get rid of condensation you have to improve the ventilation. First, we will outline some basic steps for condensation removal.

Here are some tips to deal with condensation inside your home:

1. Increase ventilation: Proper ventilation is essential to reduce humidity levels inside your home. You can install extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms, open windows regularly to let air circulate and ensure that air vents are not blocked.
2. Use insulation: Insulate windows, doors, and walls to prevent warm air from coming into contact with cold surfaces.
3. Repair water leaks: Any leaks in your plumbing or roof should be repaired as soon as possible to prevent moisture buildup.
4. Monitor temperature: Keeping your home warm can help prevent condensation from forming on cold surfaces. You can do this by maintaining a constant temperature in your home, using heating, and closing doors to unused rooms.
5. Dry wet surfaces: Wipe down windows, walls, and any other surfaces that are damp to prevent water droplets from forming.
6. Modify daily activities: Limit activities that generate moisture, such as indoor drying of clothes, showering with the door open, and boiling liquids without lids.

How to stop condensation on windows

1. Wipe the affected windows with a squeegee and dry the window, windowsill and surrounding area with a towel.
2. Open the windows to let damp air out and dry air in.
3. Install weather strips to stop cold air from entering through the joints and frame.
4. Install trickle vents. These vents help to improve ventilation when it is inconvenient, or unsafe, to leave your windows open for an extended period of time.

How to stop condensation on double-glazed windows

Follow the same steps as above except for number three, the seals built into the frames are usually more than enough to keep cold draughts outside where they belong.

How to stop condensation on walls

1. Open as many doors and windows as you can to get the air moving.
2. Keep a small gap between your furniture and walls, this will ensure there is adequate airflow throughout the room.
3. Make sure your home is properly heated during colder months.
4. Stop drying clothes on radiators. If you don’t have any choice but to dry clothing indoors, dry them in a separate room with an open window and close the door.

How to stop condensation in the bathroom

1. If your bathroom has a window, keep it open as often as possible.
2. Always use the bathroom fan when bathing or showering. If your bathroom doesn’t have a fan, consider having one fitted as they are a tremendous help in the battle against condensation.
3. Wipe down any wet surfaces with a squeegee or cloth when you are finished bathing or showering.
4. Keep the fan running, or the window open, for at least an hour after you finish using the bathroom.
5. Shut the bathroom door to stop the moist air from infiltrating the rest of your home.

How to stop condensation in the kitchen

1. Improve ventilation by keeping windows as open as possible. Open a window when cooking or boiling the kettle to give the moisture somewhere to go that isn’t your walls or ceiling.
2. Always use an overhead extractor fan while cooking and, if possible, when boiling the kettle.
3. Using pan lids when cooking, not only will reduce the cooking time, but it will also stop a ridiculous amount of water from being released into the air.
4. Keep the window open, and the extractor fan running, for at least an hour after you finish cooking.

How to stop condensation in the car

To reduce condensation inside the car, lower the cabin’s humidity level. Condensation can be prevented if the humid air is vented outside. Using the car’s air conditioning system is the best way to remove moist air.

1. Don’t leave your damp belongings in the car, think of jackets, towels, and umbrellas.
2. Keep your car clean inside and outside. Most modern cars have tiny holes in the chassis to aid airflow which are easily blocked by dirt due to their size. Regularly cleaning your car will keep these air holes open. Don’t forget to clean the inside face of the windows either, accumulated dirt gives water an extra surface to cling to which allows more condensation to form.
3. Let the car air as often as possible, and open the windows and sunroof for a few hours on warm days if it is safe to do so.
4. To get rid of condensation when you first get in the car you should wipe the windows with a cloth or squeegee, switch the heaters on at the highest setting and point them towards the windows. If this is taking too long, open the window a little bit to improve the airflow. Don’t start driving until the condensation has completely cleared, the reduced visibility can be fatal.

How to prevent condensation

Here are some effective ways to prevent condensation in your home:

Did we miss anything? Do you have any tips for getting rid of condensation at home? Let us know by commenting below or give us a shout on social media!

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