Humidity, damp and condensation are all related problems within the home. They typically become more noticeable – and more problematic – in the colder months. But they’ll no doubt be on your mind throughout the year, given that they can cause health problems if left untreated.
In this post, we’ll explore why these issues arise and how to cure them.
Humidity, damp and condensation explained
First and foremost, it’s best to fully understand how humidity, damp and condensation work. Humidity refers to the amount of water vapour in the air inside your home. Levels of humidity are typically higher when it’s warm, as warm air can hold more water vapour than cold air.
Because of this, when temperatures drop, that water vapour will condense onto windows and walls as a liquid – condensation. When condensation continually forms and sits on surfaces, it’s usually only a matter of time before those surfaces become damp.
Damp patches become a visible eyesore in your home, but they also pose more serious issues. For one, that damp can spread and cause structural damage to masonry and timber. It can also cause respiratory problems, trigger allergies and even affect the immune system, according to the NHS.
Curing high humidity
As you can see above, there’s a sequential process in play, which leads from humidity to condensation to damp – and then on to structural damage or health problems. By reducing your humidity, you could effectively cure the problems that follow.
This can be done in a number of ways:
- Reduce water vapour – There are several day-to-day activities that release moisture into the air, increasing humidity. Cooking, cleaning, showering and even breathing are all on the list. While you can’t cut any of these out, you can take some small steps to reduce humidity, such as moving house plants to the garden or drying your laundry outside.
- Increase ventilation – Water vapour is only an issue if it’s trapped inside your home. Ventilation allows that moisture to escape before it gets drawn to your walls or windows. Use an extractor fan or open a nearby window when cooking and showering, and try to open your windows to ventilate your entire home whenever possible.
- Use a dehumidifier – Dehumidifiers are purpose built to reduce moisture levels in an indoor space. Costing anywhere from £40 to upwards of £200, they extract moisture from the air, allowing you to simply pour it down the drain.
Tackling condensation and damp
Sometimes the measures above simply aren’t enough. Even homes that follow these steps can still end up with condensation on the walls. If that’s the case, there are some ways you can stop that humidity becoming problematic in the form of condensation and damp…
- Keep your heating on – Maintaining a comfortable temperature of at least 18°C can stop condensation in two ways. Firstly, it keeps the air warm so it can keep hold of more water vapour. It will also keep your windows and walls warmer, so moisture won’t be drawn to them.
- Replace your windows – Condensation is often a problem for older windows, especially those with single glazing. Without a proper barrier between the cold outdoors and the inside of your home, the interior surface of the windows becomes cold, which attracts moisture from the air. Installing more efficient double glazing or secondary glazing can prevent this.
- Protect your walls – One of the most effective ways to stop condensation forming and damp developing is to protect your walls with a moisture-resistant coating like SprayCork. The innovative cork material can be applied in thin layer with a plaster overskim, providing moisture-resistance and added insulation without being obtrusive to your home.
Find out more about SprayCork
SprayCork is a truly unique product which can help eliminate problems with humidity, damp and condensation for good. It’s helped countless properties where all else has failed and it can help you too.
To find out more, take a look at our Shearsmith House case study or contact the friendly Corksol team today.
