5 lifestyle changes to stop Condensation

When warm moisture settles on a cool surface, water droplets form. This is condensation, and you’ve probably noticed it when taking a hot shower or cooking on the hob. It can easily become a problem, especially in winter when the temptation to turn the heating up becomes too much to resist. When levels of condensation rise, it could mean your home has excessive humidity levels. Unless you take steps to stop condensation by lowering humidity levels, your home will become damp and mould may start to grow. Damp and mould can be harmful, exacerbating asthma and leading to other respiratory problems. Window frames and ceiling lines are common trouble spots where damp can develop. Luckily, there’s lifestyle changes you can make to stop condensation.

Needless to say, it’s impossible to avoid condensation altogether. The human body consists of around 70% water and produces about 3.5 litres of water vapour per day! What we can do is lower the humidity level to minimise condensation in the home and avoid all the complications that come with it. Here’s 5 lifestyle changes to stop condensation. Got more time? Read our in-depth condensation guide.

OPEN THE WINDOWS

Leaving the bathroom door open while you take a hot shower is a common technique used to minimise condensation in the bathroom. The problem? That steam will now settle all over your house, condensing as it escapes the humid bathroom and hits colder areas in the home. Instead, crack open the bathroom window and let that warm air vapour escape. The same principle holds true in the kitchen. When cooking, turn on the extractor fan or ensure windows are open. You’ll make the neighbours hungry from all the delicious smells wafting from your home and let that warm air out so it doesn’t condense on the surfaces inside. Maximising air flow in and out of the house is an important part of reducing humidity levels to stop condensation.

DRY CLOTHES OUTSIDE

Drying wet clothes on the radiator can seem like a good idea. After all, who can resist the lure of freshly warmed clothes on a cold morning? We can, now we know that hanging wet clothes on warm radiators increases moisture levels in your home. Water in textiles turns to vapour when it heats up and becomes condensation when it hits cooler surfaces around the home. As well as putting an extra strain on the heating bill, radiator obstructions damage their efficiency. If that wasn’t reason enough to dry your clothes outside or use a vented tumble dryer, consider that drying clothes inside causes condensation which lowers the temperature in the room. This means you’ll have to keep the heating on for longer to warm the house. You might feel like you’re saving money and time by drying clothes on the radiator, but you may be damaging your home in the process.

MINIMISE CLUTTER

It’s always nice to have a reason to sort out the clutter, and the battle against condensation is a better reason than most. By moving chairs, tables and sofas away from walls, air can circulate freely within your home. Make sure there’s enough space for ventilation. Empty areas allow for warm air to ventilate out of the room while cluttered space will trap condensation and promote dampness. Making sure curtains are at least 10cm away from windows will also help to promote healthy air flow.

VENTILATE AQUARIUMS & HOUSEPLANTS

Fish tanks and house plants are sources of moisture you might not even think about. Open water features condense naturally in the home environment, so make sure there’s adequate ventilation around water-retaining objects like flower vases and aquariums. Consider a lid for your fish tank if you don’t already have one, and make sure the seal is secure to retain all that moisture.

MAINTAIN THE TEMPERATURE

Air condenses into water in conditions of temperature disparity. This is why bathrooms get wet when you take a hot shower on a cold day. In the morning, the central heating clicks on, everyone has a shower and makes a cup of tea. Then, the heating goes off and an entire family of warm bodies leave for work & school. This hot/cold cycle starts again when everyone comes home, generating condensation. In winter, try to maintain a constant temperature of mild warmth. Remember, it’s not the heat or the cold that causes condensation – but both mixed together. A consistent temperature throughout the day minimises condensation’s chances.

Lifestyle changes can have a huge impact on condensation levels in the house. Still not convinced? Check out 4 reasons to reduce condensation in the house. Want more condensation info? Everything else you need to know is here.