Why condensation

And how old is the house - do you know the year it was built? The answer is actually pretty easy but not one you probably want to hear, and I know I risk getting lots of different opinions and comments - but in our opinion you should probably remove the poly vapor barrier. Any moisture that may have leaked in through unsealed windows would be a drop in the bucket compared to the amount of water in the concrete foundation , which takes years to fully dry.

And even that can only happen if it is protected with a membrane to prevent it from absorbing more moisture from the ground. Either there is no exterior moisture protection separating concrete from the ground and it will just stay wet forever, or it is protected from absorbing moisture on the outside, but still the only way the moisture in the concrete can dry is to the interior, which is currently being stopped by your poly vapor barrier.

So the short story is, despite that fact that so many builders keep putting vapour barriers on the interiors of basement walls, it is the worst thing you can do down there since the main source of moisture is not interior humidity in the air, it's the wet ground and or the concrete itself. Here is an article that will better help you understand why the walls are wet and how renovations should be carried out - ]. Having to remove all the poly is probably not the news you were hoping for but you are at least fortunate in the sense that there is no drywall on at this point.

Most people only find out their basements are rotting many years after they've been finished. We can help you with whatever steps you take moving forward, so feel free to send along some pics if you can, or at least let us know the following - Are the wood studs right against the foundation or is there any rigid insulation panels or membrane separating it from the concrete?

Is there any damp proofing spray on the exterior wall, and or a dimple membrane? Do you get condensation on windows in the home? All are factors to consider for health and home durability. What is Interstitial Condensation in Walls or Roofs? Replacing old windows in all but the most extreme cases will not save money in your lifetime.

Repairing old windows or adding layers may be a more cost-effecti…. Why are basements moldy? Because we build walls so they can't dry. Simple changes in wall design will result in mould-free durable basements. Basements don't h…. Are houses too airtight? No they aren't! Building practices and building materials can…. As early versions o…. Basement mold and mildew can easily be avoided with better designed walls. Common building practices trap moisture in wall assemblies preventing them from dryi….

The practice of putting polyethylene vapor barriers in houses was intended to keep them dry, but it ends up keeping them wet. It's time to explore alternatives…. Condensation on windows in our homes is a problem - Why is it there? And how to stop it! When should you replace old windows? Basement renovations: How to prevent mold when finishing basements. Maintaining healthy indoor air quality. Winter preparation for your home - are you ready for the cold? Suspended-film insulating glass windows - A definitive guide for these high-per….

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Google Maps updated to show most eco friendly and fuel efficient routes first. Home foundation trends in are encouraging for sustainability as slab on gr…. Guides Walls and Roofs Condensation on windows is a pain in winter and runs down the wall can mean hidden issues in our homes - What causes fogged up windows, how big a problem is it and, most importantly, how do we stop it?

Ecohome Nov. Condensation on Windows — Is it Bad? Condensation is bad news in multiple ways — it indicates where a home has weak spots or thermal bridges in its insulated envelope, it points to problems in high humidity levels in the home — possibly coming from hidden problems in basements, crawlspaces, walls or ventilation systems — and some things are certain when a home has condensation running down the windows: Condensation won't disappear on its own Condensation is potentially detrimental to health as it allows for mold and mildew growth Condensation can cause damage to homes and lead to costly renovations and repairs So, the question is — what should we do about condensation?

Condensation in homes — the basics So what is condensation? Condensation on glass - no cause for celebration! Condensation causes mold and mildew around windows As condensation occurs when moist air comes into contact with a colder surface like a wall, window, mirror etc. There are molds that grow on: Wood Paper Carpet Food Insulation Because mold eats or digests what it is growing on, it can damage a building and its furnishings.

Condensation, humidity, mold and health Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects , or none at all. Condensation, relative humidity, temperature and health problems graph - how they all relate Before we all panic because we noticed some condensation in our homes, remember that eliminating all mold and mold spores indoors is virtually impossible, but controlling indoor moisture and humidity levels will control the growth of indoor mold — so this is the key.

If so, then there are several things to do that will help: Limit the amount of humidity being produced in the home or entering it. Ventilate the home to remove excess moisture. Heat and insulate homes evenly to try to prevent cold spots that will provoke condensation.

How to reduce condensation in homes? Interestingly, up to half of the high humidity solution is changing personal habits in the home: Showering - The bathroom is the most humid place in the home, and something as simple as taking a shower releases huge amounts of humidity into the air — the hotter it is and the longer it is, the more water vapor is released.

So, to reduce this avoidable humidity source and save energy and water, always be sure to shower with a friend, failing that the dog, or otherwise - simply try to keep to a reasonable temperature and timespan — while running the bathroom fan during the shower and for minutes after to get that humid air outside. Make sure too to use a decent size bathmat to avoid saturating bathroom floors when getting a bath or shower.

The bathmat should help soak up some of the moisture, helping to reduce the condensation in the room, especially if it is put in the dryer along with the wettest towels. Once again, double check ducting for leaks.

None of these are good in homes or our lungs or bloodstreams, so either choose a different heat source where possible, like a nice wood burning stove , or if not then ventilate to get that all outside. Many basements were built with inadequate insulation, see here to find out how to improve it if so, or see here for more information on insulating crawlspaces. To learn how to prevent mold in basements, see here — or how to prevent humidity and radon gas in crawlspaces see here. To learn how to build a home on a slab-on-grade foundation which is our preferred option, see here.

Those pre-Christmas home renovations — People often want to freshen up their homes in preparation for the holiday season, but if painting large areas of wall then all that has to dry, and this moisture goes straight into the interior air unless the space is well ventilated.

Be sure to choose zero VOC paints , or it's even easy to make VOC free paint, find out how here , and choose nice weather for internal painting so the windows can be flung wide open to get those chemicals and that water vapor ventilated outside.

Modern air conditioning systems - Believe it or not, AC systems can raise the levels of the humidity in homes. The part about spending less energy because they are faster and cool down the home faster is true. However, the older AC models, which had to run longer to achieve the desired temperature, were often better at removing humidity from the air just because they were running longer. On the other hand, the new models, because they achieve the desired temperature much faster, don't remove the humidity from the air.

There might even be more relative humidity than before turning it on as the cooler air has less ability to retain moisture vapor. Careful selection of houseplants - If living in an area where the natural humidity is already high, having plants such as Ginger, Asplundia, Monstera, Ficus Benjamin, Areca palm, and Bamboo palm will only make humidity problems worse — choosing plants like Peace Lily, Boston Fern, Orchids, Spider Plant, Tillandsia, Cactus and English Ivy should help lower humidity and improve internal air quality , but water sparingly and often for best effect.

Check for water leaks! To learn more about mechanical ventilation systems, see here — or to discover how to choose between an HRV or ERV unit, see here. Fit a high efficiency and appropriately sized dehumidifier — Once everything has been checked and sources of humidity in the home reduced as much as possible — if the relative humidity levels stay too high then there is always the possibility of running a dehumidifier or multiple dehumidifiers for each level of the home to bring the humidity levels down into the ideal range to avoid condensation, mold and mildew.

Other ideas to minimize condensation in homes A key condensation point is windows , and the best way to keep on top of condensation around windows is to be on the lookout for any damage to the sealant around the window frame as this can allow water in — to learn how to fit and seal windows properly, see here. Condensation in double glazing sealed units is expensive to repair Sometimes, uPVC frames will crack and allow water to gather.

What other types of condensation can happen in homes? Comments Deb Clarkson Feb. Robert J. Pierson July 7, , p. Exterior window condensation is simply dew and occurs when the window is colder than the dew point. However, can you get condensation on double glazed windows? While condensation can be worse on single glazed windows due to the internal surface of the window being much colder than the internal surface of a double-glazed window replacing single glazed windows with double glazing is not enough to eliminate the problem.

The reason being is that although the inside of your new windows will be warmer, they will simultaneously eliminate draughts. This will reduce ventilation and contribute to the build-up of moisture. Whilst this does not happen often, condensation can form on the outside pane of a double-glazed window. When it does, it is usually because the unit is performing well and very thermally efficient. It is not an indication that there is anything wrong.

It is more likely to occur at night or early in the morning when temperatures are low, particularly if there is a clear sky and almost no wind. If you do want to eradicate the issue, there are a few simple steps you can take.

The first is to allow more air and wind to flow past your windows, as this will reduce the chances of this condensation forming. Positioning tall trees, shrubs, plants, or some form of shelter may help you do this. Condensation within double glazing typically suggests that there is a problem with the sealed unit of the windows.

This means that a point in the edge seal of the window has failed and is allowing moisture to enter in the form of condensation. Your new windows are most likely showing condensation more than your old ones because they are more airtight — less air is entering your home from the outside. Warm air rises, and since humidity is attracted to cooler air, condensation will often show near the bottom of the glass.

On older or poorer quality units, the sealant used to create the seal around the windows may be of a low grade or become loose over time. Sometimes, the uPVC frames themselves will crack and allow water to gather. If there is even the slightest imperfection in the seal, this desiccant can quickly become saturated by any moist air or water which enters.

When it cannot retain any more, the moisture then begins to appear as condensation. In reality, the issue could have been there for quite some time but has only become apparent because the desiccant is no longer doing its job.

If you have condensation in double glazing, then it is a sign that the sealant has failed, and this usually means that it will have to be replaced or sealed. If the windows are dated, then replacing the whole unit can be recommended so that the same problem does not occur again. Interstitial condensation creates structural damping that occurs when moist air penetrates inside the hidden space within an enclosed wall, roof, or floor cavity structure.

When that moisture laden air reaches a layer inside the interstitial structure that is at dew point temperature, it will condense into liquid water. The moisture laden air can penetrate into hidden interstitial wall cavity from the exterior in warm outdoor temperatures and inside the building during cold outdoor temperatures.

The resulting structural damage, along with mould and bacteria growth may occur without any visible surface indications until significant damage or extensive mould and bacteria growth has occurred. If you find a colony of toxic mould, it is particularly important that you do not disturb it. Touching or moving the mould can cause an enormous amount of harmful spores to be released in the air, to the detriment of you and the people you share your home with.

For other, more common strains of mould, there is a wide variety of mould treatments available that clean the mould, which are easy to use on your own. A simple solution for removing non-toxic mould from your home is to clean it using a non-toxic, mould cleaning solution.

When the mould has been eradicated, it is important to dry the surface thoroughly, in order to prevent the mould from returning. Another simple yet short-term solution is to kill the mould and nasty marks on your walls with bleach. If you do wish to try this tactic, remember to wear thick clothes you don't mind getting ruined , rubber gloves and a face guard as both the mould and bleach fumes can be dangerous to inhale.

To clean mould off your walls, follow these steps -. Remember however, this is not a long-term solution, and you really need to tackle the cause of the mould to ensure it doesn't come back. The reason condensation appears in your property is due to a lack of adequate ventilation which causes humidity levels to rise. As we spend more time indoors and make our property more energy efficient the build-up of moisture and humidity levels increase.

In fact, four people living in a 3-bedroom property would create pints of moisture a week from just breathing, cooking, showering, and boiling the kettle. When the air is very warm, like after a hot shower, a lot of condensation will form on the cold coils. Of course, the amount of condensation that forms is also proportional to the humidity in the air, so a humid bathroom creates the 'ideal' environment for a refrigerant dehumidifier to extract moisture, but does a dehumidifier really do enough?

The usual top go-to suggestion for reducing condensation is to purchase a dehumidifier, they're easy to pick up and fairly inexpensive. However, many are unaware of the several cons that are also associated with dehumidifiers.

For example, dehumidifiers blow out warm air from the back, which in the summer months can create an excessive and overbearing heat. Dehumidifiers also increase your energy costs meaning whilst they are cheap to purchase, can end up being a costly investment. If you constantly have to wipe condensation off your windows and have a dehumidifier running for lengthy periods of time costing you money then you may want to think about having a whole house ventilation system installed as a permanent solution to condensation and to improve the air quality indoors for your tenants or family.

There are also several easy steps you can take to reduce moisture in the home and minimise the risk of condensation. Over time the sealant around your windows may become damaged and start to allow rain to seep into your home. The water entering the property will cause an excess in the moisture levels resulting in condensation. This type of condensation is known as exterior condensation as it allows the moisture in from outside. Condensation is the result of excess moisture and is something that can sneak up on us, by investing in a moisture meter you can keep track of these levels before it's too late.

Have a good inspection of the exterior of your property, look for cracks and any damage that could be letting water in. Over time parts of your property deteriorate, so it's best to look into replacing windowpanes or the whole window or having the roof re-done. Make sure you have a decent size bathmat for your bathroom to avoid saturating bathroom floors when getting a bath or shower. The bathmat should help soak up some of the moisture, helping to reduce the condensation in the room. The cure for condensation lies in preventing the condensation from ever occurring in the first place.

If you are suffering from condensation problems, then we may be able to help you. We have local ventilation experts available, who can carry out a detailed survey and create a report which will tell you exactly what is causing the problem and how to rectify it.

If you are not sure if the problem is condensation or whether it could be rising damp or due to a leak from the roof or guttering, then get in touch to arrange a free home survey and a local ventilation expert will contact you to arrange a suitable time to check whether the problem in your home is due to condensation.

To book your free home survey click here. Thank you for contacting us. A ventilation expert will be in contact with you shortly to discuss how we can help. Accept Learn More.

Arrange a Survey. Request a Brochure. Call Today: 27 27 Search Results. Why Ventilate? Find A Ventilation Product. What type of customer are you? Select a category. Condensation also ruins homes, both indoor and out, nobody wants damp and mould patches inside their home it destroys carpets, flooring, wallpaper and furnishings.

Similarly, externally, moisture becoming entrapped within the structure can result in long term corrosion of external walls, metal structures, timber rot, loosening of nails as timber swells, and cladding rot or swelling which can result in costly rectification work.

Lastly as this condensation has such a bearing on your property your heating has to work even harder to try and combat these issues, costing you more. Ventilation often gets overlooked as we all want to make our homes as warm as possible we focus on insulation, however, your home also needs to be able to breathe.

By installing adequate ventilation so the property can breathe you are not making it colder, in fact with many of EnviroVent's ventilation solutions you can actually recoup heat, so nothing is lost. EnviroVent has a ventilation system for every kind of home, whether it be the smallest apartment, bungalow, house or a major building project. With a wide range of energy efficient and innovative ventilation systems, you can be assured that your indoor air quality will be dramatically improved, whilst having a positive effect on your health and your home.

One of our local experts will contact you to learn more about your problems, offer free expert advice and make recommendations for a permanent solution.

Accept Learn More. Arrange a Survey. Request a Brochure. Call Today: 27 27 Search Results. Why Ventilate? Find A Ventilation Product. What type of customer are you? What Causes Condensation? Arrange a Free Home Survey Today. This can happen through a number of ways; The level of moisture in the air. The temperature of the air in your home.