Condensation accounts for approximately 70% of reported domestic damp and is undoubtedly a contributing cause of some infestation by Wood Boring Beetle and Dry Rot outbreaks.

Condensation can commonly be attributed to a lack of balance between heating and ventilation, resulting in a rise in relative humidity. In a nut shell, air can hold more water vapour when it is warm than when it is cold. When the warm air is cooled, such as when the heating system is switched off at night, it will deposit the water it can no longer retain as condensation on a cold surface.

An average family of 4 to 5 people can produce up to 17 litres of water vapour a day. This can be from drying wet clothes on radiators or using the tumble dryer, having hot baths or showers, boiling kettles, cooking and of course breathing. That’s a lot of water vapour being stored by the warm air in a typical centrally heated, double glazed home. The evenings are chilly, the heating goes off at night and the air temperature inside the home drops. Cool air cannot retain the same amount of water vapour as warm air and when the warm air comes into contact with a colder surface, such as an outside wall or a window, it will deposit the moisture it cannot hold onto that surface. So you have misted or streaming windows, and in extreme cases walls that are wet to the touch and black mould growth.

We currently send out a brochure and a very informative factsheet, on request, about condensation and the cures and we would be pleased to post a copy to you for your perusal and information.