How to stop condensation on windows

Follow our helpful guide to reduce occurrences of condensation in your home and keep it free from damaging damp with better ventilation!

What is condensation?

To make effective steps in preventing condensation, you must first understand exactly what it is and what causes it. Condensation on windows and walls occurs when water vapour in the air meets a cold surface, causing the water vapour to revert to a liquid state.

You add moisture to the air through everyday activities such as cooking, washing and breathing and if it has nowhere to escape to then the trapped water vapour will simply remain in your home and gradually build up over time, resulting in a damp problem.

Condensation tends to get worse during colder months, because you heat your home more and warm air holds more moisture than cold air does. As the difference between the outside temperature and the inside temperature of your home becomes more dramatic, condensation occurs much more frequently than otherwise. 

Steps to preventing condensation on windows

If your condensation problem is infrequent, then you many only need to make slight changes to your daily habits to prevent future incidents. However, more serious cases may require a new ventilation system.

1. Cross Ventilation

When undertaking tasks that release a lot of water vapour, such as cooking and bathing, you should open the windows on opposite sides of the room or house (if possible) in order provide your room with a steady supply of fresh air whilst allowing the water vapour to exit. This is known as cross ventilation and will help prevent a build up of water in the air.

2. Extractor Fans

Get in the habit of ensuring that you use your extractor fan whilst cooking and showering if you have one in your kitchen and bathroom. Extractor fans provide much needed ventilation and help remove steam from the atmosphere. If you frequently experience condensation in your bathroom or kitchen and you don’t have an extractor fan, it may just be time to invest!

3. Dehumidifiers

If your condensation problems are occurring in a room, such as your bedroom, where an extractor fan isn’t practical, then a dehumidifier could be the answer you’re looking for. Dehumidifiers, as the name suggests, are portable plug in machines which reduce the humidity levels in the air.

4. Clear away condensation
As a short term solution, ensure that you regularly clear away signs of condensation on your windows or walls, as allowing condensation to rest for too long can result in the growth of mould and mildew.

5. Call in a professional

However, even after following these steps, some cases of condensation can continue to persist. In this case, you may require a professional’s help to diagnose the underlying problem and install a new ventilation system for your home to reduce the chances of condensation reappearing.

We are a team of damp experts operating across Dorset & Hampshire and can carry out a survey of your home to get to the heart of the problem and provide an effective solution! Our condensation services are available on all types of premises, so get in touch today on 01202 737739 to find out more.