If there is a large temperature difference from the outside to the inside of your home and you're lacking insulation, this can cause walls dripping with condensation. They might not actually drip, you might just find that your wall is moist. In either scenario, going unchecked can lead to bad news.
By and large, insulation keeps a house warmer – including the inside surface of the walls. Condensation is less likely to build up on a warm surface, so insulating a whole property reduces risk.
Gaps in the insulation can lead to temperature variations and 'cold spots' on the internal walls - when warm air touches these 'cold spots' it can result in condensation and mould.
Excessive humidity is the cause of most window condensation. As the outside temperature drops, the window glass temperature also drops.
One of the key factors to consider when making sure that your home is as mold resistant as possible is insulation. Insulation can help to maintain indoor temperature conditions which can help to control factors leading to mold growth so not having it where it counts can be a big problem.
First of all, the comfort of occupants can be compromised, whether through cold floors, temperature variation from one room to another, or too much heat coming from the ceiling in the summer. Of course, poor insulation will increase your bills: for air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter.
Open Your Window
This might seem obvious, but it's effective. Opening your windows will release the humid air outside, and therefore, will prevent the humidity from collecting onto your windows. So, if it's not too cold out and you're suffering from condensation, open a window.
Ventilate so the moist air leaves the house – always use the extractor fan when you're cooking, showering or bathing, leave any window vents open, and don't block off any other vents. Make sure air can circulate by leaving gaps between furniture and the wall.
Whilst condensation is a sign your existing windows are working properly, excessive moisture can cause mould to grow around your window frames. However, taking a few important steps can prevent damage and prolong window life, such as: Opening windows for at least 20 minutes a day, but preferably for longer.
Essentially, you can use both vapour wall wraps and bulk wall insulation together. Vapour membrane products prevent the entry of liquid water and reduces air flow through the membrane thus reducing the transfer of moisture.
One way to tackle internal wall condensation is to use Wallrock thermal liners. Wallrock thermal liners are made from a specialised material that helps to create a thermal barrier between the wall's surface and the warmer air inside the room.
Adding insulation is called retrofitting. Retrofitting or replacing insulation is a good investment. It will hold your home's ambient temperature consistently and comfortably while preventing humidity and moisture fluctuations. It's a win-win because it will also lower your monthly heating and cooling costs.
Condensation happens when your home is too humid and the warm air hits cold surfaces. This leads to the air cooling quickly and forming droplets on nearby surfaces such as walls/windows.
If you have too much insulation, then it can lead to a range of problems. As we've already mentioned, too much insulation can trap moisture inside the building, leading to damp and condensation problems.
The World Health Organisation guidelines suggest 21 degrees in a living room and 18 degrees in the bedrooms, falling lower at night and when you are out. You don't need to keep your home at these temperatures all the time, but you should aim to bring it up to these temperatures at least some of the day.
Condensation is caused by warm moist air coming into contact with cold surfaces such as windows and walls. It happens mainly during the colder months, regardless of whether the weather is wet or dry. Condensation is completely normal and is the most common cause of dampness in the home, especially in colder rooms.
The reverse of condensation reaction is the hydrolysis in which chemical entity is split into two parts through action from the polar water molecule, which itself splits into hydroxide and hydrogen ions.
Simply raising the temperature in your rooms while leaving windows slightly ajar will allow heat to circulate. Which may tackle your condensation problem, while also ensuring you stay warm as you try to sleep.
To stop condensation on windows at night try keeping your bedroom door open to improve airflow and leaving your curtains open, or swapping for a thinner material. If this doesn't fix the problem, check the seals of the windows (as mentioned above) or consider running a dehumidifier at night to keep moisture at bay.
Opening the windows to reduce damp from condensation
Opening a window allows humid air to escape from your home, thus reducing condensation. If you don't want to one ajar all the time, try opening them after you've performed an activity that creates high levels of humidity, like cooking or showering.
Walls, floors and ceilings should feel warm and dry to the touch in your home. An indication that there is not enough insulation can be drywall or paneling feeling damp or cold. Conversely, the walls outside of your home should feel cold because insulation stops the heat from escaping.
This means that you could be losing a significant amount of heat through your walls, resulting in higher energy bills and a less comfortable living space. If your exterior walls have no insulation, you may be facing significantly higher energy bills due to increased heat loss.