Ten changes that can cause condensation and mould

Condensation on walls ? Over the years a series of large or small changes in our homes can have a big effect on air quality. Here we discuss what these might be and the impact they can have.

Babies generate moisture

Your bundle of joy will generate a lot of humidity

1. Your family gets larger

People produce humidity, so if the size of your family increases then so does the amount of humidity.

Because babies, along with their clothing, bed sheets, towels etc are washed frequently this adds up to a lot more humidity in your home.

2. Occupants are younger

If you are a landlord you may have found that when older occupants move out of a property, and a younger family move in, then the new tenants may complain of condensation and mould when the previous tenants did not.

We find that younger families sometimes - but not always - generate more humidity. This may be because of more frequent showering and washing of clothes. They may also be less diligent when it comes to opening windows !

3. You have new windows and doors

Replacing windows and doors can have a big effect on the air quality in your home. We cannot stress enough that it essential that windows are fitted with so called 'trickle' vents. These slim horizontal vents can be very beneficial by allowing a background movement of air throughout the home.

Trickle vents

Trickle vents allow a slight but significant movement of air

The rule within the double glazing industry is 'like-for-like'. So if your old windows had trickle vents then your new ones should do too. Unfortunately we find that this is rarely adhered to and the majority of windows are fitted without them. Customers often tell us that this option was never discussed by the salesman or even that they were told that they are unnecessary !

Yes, trickle vents will add slightly to the cost of the windows, but they are a worthwhile investment.

4. You have bought a new tumble drier

Modern 'condensing' style tumble driers are more practical than the traditional 'vented' type since they have no exhaust vent and so can be located anywhere in the home. However the problem with this style of machine is that not all of the condensation is captured in the condensate tray. This means that a considerable amount of warm humid air escapes into the home adding to the general humidity in the air.

5. Cavity wall insulation is installed

sub-floor ventilation

It is important to preserve
sub-floor ventilation

We should say straight away that for the right home, when installed correctly, cavity wall insulation is very beneficial. It will keep your home warmer, which will help deter the formation of condensation and mould.

There is also a common misconception that cavity walls 'breathe'. In other words the walls gradually absorb humidity which makes its way to the outside. Actually this is not the case at all, so installing cavity wall insulation will have no effect on the amount of humidity passing through the walls - because none does !

However houses with timber floors have air bricks around the walls to ventilate the sub-floor void. It is important that the insulation contractor checks these are 'sleeved' so that the insulation injected into the cavity does not impede the airflow beneath the floor.

Likewise it is important that surplus insulation does not flow into the loft during installation as this can reduce the flow of fresh air through the loft.

6. Loft insulation is installed

Again loft insulation is a very worthwhile measure. But again if not done correctly then it can choke off the supply of fresh air to the loft which can cause the roof timbers to become damp, and wet rot to set in.

A door tight to the carpet will stop air movement

A door tight to the carpet will stop air movement

7. New carpets are fitted

We believe that the background movement of air in your home is essential for a healthy environment, and so having a gap under doors is important. This is particularly so for bedroom doors since the bedrooms are the major source of humidity in your home overnight and its overnight when temperatures fall and condensation becomes more likely.

8. You have replacement soffits

Surprisingly perhaps, having uPVC soffits installed around your roof can also have an impact of the air in the loft - which can have a knock-on effect in the rest of your home.

Soffits

The house on the left has had replacement soffits, the house on the right has the original ventilated soffits

If you are having uPVC soffits installed at your house then we suggest you talk to the contractor and make sure that the loft ventilation will not be reduced.

A common response is that 'the vents are concealed at the top', but in our experience when houses have soffits fitted like the ones in this photograph then the important flow of air through the loft is significantly reduced.

You may want to consider ventilated roof tiles if this is already a problem at your home.

9. The roof covering is replaced

Having your roof stripped and replaced is a major change to your home and you should consider what impact it will have on air quality in the loft.

A new roof covering

New roof covering is a major change to your home

A well ventilated roof improves air quality in your home - or put another way if your loft is poorly ventilated it will tend to make to the mould and condensation problem in your home worse.

Your roofing contractor will lay sheets of breathable underfelt across the roof timbers before laying the tiles or slates on top. Modern roofing felt is much more breathable than the old style black hessian underlay.

However some older houses have existing roofs with no underlay at all. In this case the installation of breathable underlay may limit the amount of fresh air making its way into the loft. Alternative measures can be used such as vented roof tiles in most roofs.

10. A wood burning stove is installed

Your draughty fireplace is probably a source of ventilation for your home. Removing the fireplace and installing a wood burning stove is likely to reduce to flow of fresh air down the chimney since the chimney pipe from the stove fits snugly into a plate fitted at the bottom of the chimney breast.

Likewise if your chimney is no longer in use and is 'capped' then it will stop rain-water, birds, insects, and fresh air from entering the chimney.

We are not suggesting that installing a wood-burning stove or capping a chimney breast are bad ideas, but you should be aware of the impact these changes make on the fresh air in your home.

Request a survey & report
Covid 19 ventilation guidance

UK government advises:

"Good ventilation can help reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus"
"Where possible consider ways to maintain and increase the supply of fresh air"

Too much humidity and not enough ventilation
= damp, condensation & mould

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