Condensation Damp in Flintshire, Chester, Wrexham, Cheshire, Denbighshire, Conway, Wirral, and North Wales
Condensation is the most common form of unwanted dampness in buildings.
Condensation in Flintshire, Chester, Wrexham, Cheshire, Denbighshire, Conway, Wirral, and North Wales occurs when the air can hold no more moisture and the water vapour turns into water droplets, normally on a cold surface, or within a cold wall. We call this 100% relative humidity. Regular and high levels of condensation can result in staining, timber decay and smells.
At slightly lower Relative humidity levels, above 70%, mould growths can develop, often seen in the form of black spotting. These moulds can lead to respiratory problems.
Condensation is generally a winter problem, as outside temperatures drop, causing walls and windows to be colder and with reduced ventilation moisture generated by living in a property is not removed fast enough.
The development of mould growth is the most tell-tale sign that is frequently associated with Condensation. The appearance of mould may be black, white, yellow or green in colour, depending on the specific type of mould and the surface it is growing on.
Black spot mould growth (Aspergillus niger) for example forms pyramid profiles in wall corners and also at wall/floor or wall/ceiling margins as a result of condensation.
Condensation & Black Mould in Flintshire, Chester, Wrexham, Cheshire, Denbighshire, Conway, Wirral, and North Wales
It is important that the type of damp affecting your property be diagnosed properly or you could end up spending money on works that will not solve the problem. Every property is different and the reasons causing the Condensation or Black Mould will be different. Some properties are simply not ventilated, and others may have structural defects creating cold spots that are very hard to identify without proper equipment. Below are a few signs that might be apparent within your property:
• Water gathering on the inside of your windows or at the window sill
• Water gathering on surfaces such as kitchen/bathroom tiles
• Growth of black mould on walls, ceilings and skirting
• Peeling of wallpaper or deteriorating paintwork
• Mould growing on clothes or stored articles
• A strong musty smell
Condensation in Flintshire, Chester, Wrexham, Cheshire, Denbighshire, Conway, Wirral, and North Wales has 3 main characteristics.
Characteristic 1
Moisture on the internal window and sill.
Characteristic 2
Black spotted mould formations on the internal wall fabric.
Characteristic 3
Clothing and linens have the appearance and feel of dampness and the associated smell.
Condensation Solutions in Flintshire, Chester, Wrexham, Cheshire, Denbighshire, Conway, Wirral, and North Wales
One of the most challenging aspects of addressing condensation problems is locating the cause of the issue. This is difficult because the list of potential reasons, many of which are lifestyle related, is quite long. Understandably, this is particularly frustrating for new homeowners who have just moved into a house free of issues, only to find that they are now being forced to look for condensation solutions. These people often create the problem through their lifestyle and behaviours, but fortunately, lifestyle-centric issues are usually quick to fix.
Humidistat Fans in Flintshire, Chester, Wrexham, Cheshire, Denbighshire, Conway, Wirral, and North Wales
Consider investing in a humidistat fan for those causing increased humidity through showering, cooking, or washing. Humidistat fans moderate the humidity of a given room (particularly useful in bathrooms and kitchens) by detecting moisture in the air and only turning it on when a specific humidity level is reached. This completely removes moisture problems at their source.
Vent Installation
On occasion, condensation problems aren’t lifestyle-based but result from structural factors. For example, if specific walls are colder than others, consider the installation of thermally efficient wall linings to keep the walls warm. On the other hand, if the affected walls or ceilings aren’t colder than other surfaces in the house, your problem may be caused by poor ventilation. In this situation, you can improve airflow through vent installation in the ceiling, walls, or above windows.
Positive Pressure Condensation Control Units in Flintshire, Chester, Wrexham, Cheshire, Denbighshire, Conway, Wirral, and North Wales
Other less common condensation solutions are devices called positive pressure condensation control units. These take drier air from the loft spaces and mix it with the air below, reducing overall humidity at a very low rate so as not to cause drastic changes in the internal atmosphere.
Prevention
Whatever your problem, the best cause of action is always prevention. If you can, try to stagger your moisture-creating activities, allowing moisture to escape naturally before adding to the water vapour in the air. For example, leave more significant breaks between morning showers, don’t use multiple kitchen and laundry appliances simultaneously and avoid cooking without using an extractor fan. Often, these subtle lifestyle changes can make all the difference.
Quirks are an approved and qualified Dampproof contractor for the application of Damp Proofing, Timber Treatments and Condensation Control. Trained by PAM TIES LTD and expert Paul Hughes (CSSW) – Certified Surveyor in Structural Waterproofing.
