At this time of year black mould and condensation can become problematic within the home. In today’s blog, we share some insights on how you can reduce the chances of condensation and black mould forming within your property.

To understand how you can reduce condensation, it is first important to know exactly what condensation is and why it is formed.

When water is heated, it evaporates and is carried in the air as water vapour or steam. When the air which is full of moisture meets a cold hard surface such as a wall, window or mirror, the moisture can no longer be retained in the air and water droplets form on the cold surface. Air which is colder holds less moisture than air which is warmer, which is why condensation is more prevalent in the winter months than the summertime.

Why is condensation a problem?

Air which is too moist or too dry can help to facilitate the growth of bacteria, viruses and respiratory infection. Air within a range of 40-60% relative humidity is optimum to reduce this spread.

Excessive and persistent condensation can lead to the formation of damp and black mould within the home. Black mould releases spores which are harmful to health, particularly people who already suffer with lung and respiratory issues such as asthma. 

Where does black mould occur?

Black mould commonly occurs above skirting boards, behind furniture and kitchen appliances, in the corner of ceilings, in bathrooms, in kitchens and around windows. 

How to reduce condensation

There are two main ways to reduce condensation. The first stage is to limit the creation of the moisture and the second stage is to remove any moisture that is created.

Limiting the creation of moisture

Some of the most common everyday sources of moisture creation are:

• Boiling a kettle
• Breathing
• Cooking and boiling
• Bathing and showering
• Drying clothes on radiators 

Some simple and easy ways to limit the creation of moisture are:

• Do not dry clothes indoors. In the wintertime, it helps to use a condensing tumble dryer which captures the moisture created by drying the clothes
• Capture steam by placing lids on pans of boiling water. This will also lead to faster cooking times and reduce energy use
• Keep doors closed when boiling water to prevent the moisture escaping into other rooms
• Limit the number of showers and baths. If you are a member of a gym, try to use their facilities to shower as this will help to reduce the creation of moisture in your home.
• Keep doors closed when boiling water to prevent the moisture escaping into other rooms
• Insulate your home. Walls that are insulated will be warmer which will help to prevent the formation of condensation. In addition, adding insulation to the loft can help to reduce a large source of heat loss from the loft space. A well-insulated home will also reduce energy costs because the property will be able to hold in the warm air for longer. This means that you won’t need to come your heating on all the time!
• Another top tip is to choose specially formulated, moisture resistant paints for kitchens and bathrooms. These types of paints are designed to resist the formation of black mould and are easy to keep clean and dry. 

Remove the moisture

• Switch on fans and extractor hoods when cooking and bathing. Extraction fans are designed to vent air to the outside, which helps to provide a way for moisture to escape from inside the home. Consider installing a fan with a humidity sensor. These types of fans detect excess moisture in the air and extract at a higher rate when the moisture level gets too high.
• Open windows and window trickle vents when cooking and bathing. This allows a way for the warm, damp air to escape to the outside
• Dehumidifiers are a small appliance that can be used to extract moisture from the air. Leaving these turned on in high moisture rooms can extract as much as 25 litres of water in a single day! Dehumidifiers help to create a dryer internal environment which also makes your property easier to heat. This will help to save on your energy bills too!

Summary

Condensation can easily form in the home through everyday activities. Condensation can lead to the growth of black mould which can be damaging to health. With some careful consideration and some simple tips, you can reduce the formation of condensation, helping to make your home dryer, warmer and easier to maintain!

If you are suffering from black mould, then we recommend you check out our frequently asked questions, where we cover steps you can take to paint over black mould. If you need professional help with this, get in touch with our Painters and Decorators in Derby. We can help you with black mould removal, to get your property looking like new again!