CONDENSATION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Below are some of the most commonly asked questions regarding condensation.
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Q1: WHAT CAUSES CONDENSATIONS IN HOUSES?
The combination of poor ventilation and high levels of moisture causes condensation. Cooking, showering, washing and drying clothes are all large contributors to the moisture levels in your home. If you allow this moisture to come into contact with cooler air or surfaces, then the water content within the moisture is released and forms condensation which eventually can lead to damp problems. Improve the ventilation of your home to ensure an escape passage for the moisture.
Q2: DAMP OR CONDENSATION? WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
There are typically four types of damp issues to look out for – rising damp, penetrating damp, below ground level damp issues and damp arising from a condensation problem. Common tell tale signs of rising damp will be the marks it leaves on your walls just above the skirting boards. Penetrating damp would indicate either defects in the building or plumbing leading to water ingress. A common sign of a condensation problem is water collecting on the inside of windows. You may not notice condensation until it turns to black mould or your wallpaper starts to peel. You can learn more about the different types of damp and the tell tale signs by clicking on the link below.
Q3: WHAT IS A NEGATIVE PRESSURE VENTILATION UNIT?
A negative pressure ventilation unit is used to re-direct air already within the property to isolated areas or rooms. It works by creating a negative pressure within the isolated room by sucking out all the exhausted air. This clears the path for air to naturally travel to this isolated part of the property.
Q4: CAN YOU ADVISE HOW TO AVOID CONDENSATION?
Well firstly, condensation is caused through poor ventilation in our homes and lifestyle choices. If you ensure that any moisture you add to your home’s atmosphere through activities such as cooking, showering & drying clothes has an escape route through an open window or a fan then you can avoid condensation.
Q5: HOW DOES CONDENSATION PAINT WORK?
Different anti-condensation paints work in different ways. The most common is for the paint to be simply mixed with an anti fungal additive. However, at Wise Property Care, it has been our experience that this traditional form of anti mould/condensation paint only goes so far. The anti-condensation paint we supply works very differently by utilising Glass Microsphere technology. In short, the fusion of the glass microspheres and paint acts as a thermal wall between the cold outside wall and the warmer temperature within your home, resulting in the condensation being controlled.
Q6: WHY DOES CONDENSATION HAPPEN?
Condensation arises when the moisture in our home’s atmosphere meets a cooler surface or cooler air. On the back of coming into contact with the cooler surface or air, the moisture condenses and realises its water content. A good example of this occurring is when taking a shower you will notice the windows steam up first before the water content is released.
Q7: WHAT IS A POSITIVE PRESSURE VENTILATION UNIT?
Positive pressure ventilation units are air management systems designed to tackle the root cause of a condensation problem. If your home suffers from poor air quality and you are constantly battling condensation and black mould then this is a long term solution for you.
Q8: HOW DOES CONDENSATION HAPPEN?
Condensation occurs when warm air comes into contact with cooler air or surfaces. At this point the warm air is unable to retain the same temperature of moisture and starts to release its water vapour content. This can then lead to damp related issues such as black mould growth and a strong musty damp smell.
