Increase ventilation
• Open a window when cooking, or after showering or
bathing – this means steam condenses outside, rather
than inside, your home.
• Keep your kitchen and bathroom doors shut for about
20 minutes after using these rooms – this prevents
moist air getting into other parts of your home.
• Keep window vents open as much as possible – this will
allow damp air to escape.
Allow air to circulate
• If possible, allow fresh air to circulate in wardrobes and
cupboards – this should prevent mould growth.
• Don’t put furniture against the outside walls of your
home, as outside walls are generally cooler and more
prone to condensation.
Keep your home warm
• When moisture condenses on your walls it makes them
feel colder. This will cause the temperature to drop in
your home and can increase the risk of mould growth.
• If possible, try to keep the temperature of your home
above 18°C – most people find a comfortable
temperature is somewhere around 21°C.
• Condensation is more likely to happen if you let the
temperature in your home fall below 18°C.
• If you keep a steady temperature throughout your home
it will reduce condensation and could save you money
on heating costs.
Treating Mould
If you deal with the basic problem with condensation,
then mould should not appear. To kill and remove mould,
wipe down walls and window frames with a fungicidal
wash and redecorate using good quality paint.
HOUSING
SERVICES
WE CAN
TRANSLATE
Please note the only lasting way of avoiding severe
mould is to follow the above steps to eliminate
condensation.
If you require further information on how to prevent
condensation in your home or have a mould problem
please telephone the repairs helpline on:
01294 310000
This document is available in other formats such as audio
tape, CD, Braille and in large print. It can also be made
available in other languages on request.
TENANT
APPROVED
Dealing with
condensation
in your home
www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk
NAC
HOUSING
SERVICES
What causes it?
There are three main causes of
condensation in your home.
What is condensation?could I
There is always a certain amount of moisture
in the air inside your home, although you
cannot see it. When warm air comes into
contact with a cooler surface, it is forced to
release some of the moisture.
This leaves droplets of water on the cold
surface – this is known as condensation.
The steam and mist that appear on
bathroom mirrors or bedroom windows are
also examples of condensation.
Condensation can
cause damage to
your home
• Too much moisture being produced
• Not enough ventilation
• Cool temperatures in certain parts of your home
Everyday activities like cooking, bathing, washing and drying
clothes, and even breathing, will add moisture to the air inside
your home.
Modern improvements such as wall insulation, draught proofing
on doors and double-glazed windows have made it easier to
keep homes warm. However, these improvements also prevent
moisture from escaping and may cause condensation.
Did you know?
Each day, two people carrying out routine activities in their home
can add up to 26 pints (or 14.8 litres) of moisture to the air.
Two people being active for one day
Cooking and using a kettle
Having a bath or shower
Washing dishes
Drying clothes indoors
adds 3 pints
adds 6 pints
adds 3 pints
adds 2 pints
adds 9 pints
If the two people did these things every day for a week, there
would be enough moisture produced inside their home to fill
an entire bathtub!
What damage can condensation cause?
Condensation can cause damage to your home in different
ways, including the following.
• Mould growth on walls, fabrics and furniture – this will
eventually lead to rotting and increased repair and
replacement costs.
• Wallpaper peeling off and paint blistering – meaning you
need to replace items more often.
• If you have a health problem, such as asthma or bronchitis,
condensation may make it worse as you may breathe in
mould particles that escape into the air.
How do I reduce condensation?
It is impossible to avoid everyday activities that create moisture,
but there are simple steps you can take to reduce the levels of
condensation in your home.
Make less moisture
• Put lids on saucepans when cooking to keep steam in.
• Dry washing outside where possible – this prevents
water from escaping into the air inside your home.
• If you use a tumble dryer, make sure it is linked to a vent
to allow damp air to escape.