A Tenants Guide to Condensation & Mould

This guide will help you understand how to prevent and manage condensation and mould in your home.

Poor management of condensation can lead to damage. Any repairs or redecoration costs resulting from this damage can be charged against a tenant's deposit. Neither tenant nor landlord wants to see the effects of damp, so we have some tips to make living in the property more pleasant and limit charges caused by condensation.

What is Condensation?

Condensation is water that has been released from the air. Air contains water vapour in varying quantities. How much it can hold depends on its temperature. Warm air holds more moisture than cold air.

When coming into contact with colder surfaces, this moisture can sometimes be released as water droplets and, condenses onto the surface.

Condensation is often more noticeable on non-absorbent materials such as glass, notice when windows have water droplets during the winter? That's condensation. It also happens on absorbent materials and can go unnoticed until there is damage or mould growth.

Condensation can occur at any time of year. Although, as the weather turns colder, condensation and mould can form more easily. You may find condensation is more visible during the winter months, especially on windows. Over warmer months, issues are less common.

Health Impacts from Condensation

Water vapour in the air is not uncommon, however, when too much builds up over long periods, it can becomedetrimental to our health.

Condensation and mould growth are associated with:

• Mould/fungal growth if left without treatment
• Increased prevalence of house dust mites
• Cardiovascular and respiratory illness.

EFFECTS OF CONDENSATION

 

Mould Spores

Mould spores are the seeds of mould growth and are released into the atmosphere when mould grows. Spores are microscopic, easy to breathe in and are potent allergens too. They are always in the air and  all they require is a source of moisture and food.

 

Dust Mites

One of the biggest causes of allergies is dust mites - tiny insects found in household dust. Warm, moist environments encourage them to breed.
Exposure to dust mites and spores over long periods can cause sensitivity, which means low concentrations in future can trigger allergic reactions.

 

Black Mould Growth

Black mould growth is the most common effect of condensation, but mould can appear in other colours such as grey or green on carpets, clothing and wood.

 

WHERE DOES THE MOISTURE COME FROM?

The moisture in the air comes from multiple sources within the house. Water vapour is produced in relatively large quantities from normal day to day activities.


THE DATA

A 5 person household puts about 10kg of water into the air every day (1kg of water equates to about 1ltr).

• Breathing (asleep) 0.3 kg
• Breathing (awake) 0.85 kg
• Cooking 3 kg
• Personal washing 1.0 kg
• Washing and drying clothes 5.5 kg
  
  

CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE CONDENSATION

Areas of Increased Water Vapour

Condensation & moisture generation is increased when water vapour is kept inside. Think about the areas of your apartment or house where water vapour is produced:

Bathrooms
Who doesn't love a hot bath or shower? The steam created can build up if not ventilated.

Kitchens
Kettles, ovens and hot pans all create steam during use.

Once water vapour is in the air, it can sit dormant during the day and build up in small pockets (behind furniture and in cupboards). This stagnant air provides a breeding ground for mould and mites!

Heating & Ventilation

It's important to have a mix of heating and ventilation to control moisture levels. We recommend changing the air in all rooms within the house, at least once a day. Opening all windows and doors creates a fast flow of air that can quickly move through your house and replace the stagnant air.

During the winter months, we favour the warm by keeping windows shut. This can promote condensation, especially in the morning when it's cooler. Try opening the windows for a short blast of fresh air. If you are out for the day, do this for 10-15 minutes and then again when you return home.

Heating should also be used to combat condensation. Low heat over prolonged periods is better than a short blast of high heat.

Signs you may be at risk

If your house is too cold you will notice that:

• Your house, clothing and bedding will feel cold and damp.
• There will be a musty, damp smell.
• You may notice some mould growth on furniture/ external walls, in cupboards/drawers, on or around windows and on your clothing/bedding.
• Wallpaper may start peeling around windows or other areas.
• It takes a long time before your heating begins to take effect, leaving you not feeling property warm and walls staying cold to the touch.
  
  
  

CONTROLLING AND PREVENTION

Adequately heat your home

• Ensuring heating is thermostatically controlled wherever possible at a temperature between 18-21C.
• Make use of any timer facility on your boiler to control heating.
• Keeping heating on, at a low setting, all day in colder weather. (This is also more economical than blasting the heating for short periods!) Ensuring that when heating is turned up, this is for a minimum of 3 hours.
  
  

How to Control Condensation

• Covering boiling pans, opening windows and closing doors when cooking.
• Air-dry clothes outdoors, if possible.
• Make use of the dryer machine – all Smart Properties are fitted with one of these.
• Hanging wet coats in the hallway when people visit.
• Considering the use of moisture traps - these can be bought for as little as £5 online.
• Wiping up any water puddles lying on window sills etc.
• Open windows whilst ironing
  
  

Ventilate your home

• Ventilating the room to the outside when using the bath or shower – open a window and close the door.
• Trying to increase the change in the air by opening windows daily for no longer than 30-60 minutes toavoid over-ventilating the property.
• Positioning furniture so that it’s a little further away from the walls, so the air has a free flow around theroom.
• Refraining from over-filling cupboards to bursting point - again, allow the air to flow.
• Ensuring trickle vent flaps on windows are open and air vents are unblocked.
• Ensuring extractor fans are on and working in both kitchens and bathrooms.
  
  

Removing mould growth

In the unfortunate case that mould might have appeared, here are the steps to take:

• Wash the affected area using hot water with an anti-mould cleaner or non-ammonia soap/detergent.
• Rinse and dry the affected area.
• Use an anti-mould disinfectant or diluted bleach once the area has been thoroughly cleaned to ensure that most microorganisms have been killed.
• Any fabrics/clothing/soft-furnishings should be put in the washing machine at as high a temperature as possible, without damaging the items.