Does Your Home have a Condensation Problem?
Condensation can be a problem in many homes that have inadequate ventilation, but it can also become a serious concern.
27/02/2020
Condensation is prevalent in a home that has inadequate ventilation and is caused when the warm air in a home comes into a colder surface, such as your windows. As the warm air rapidly cools it releases the moisture content which forms condensation on windows. You may have seen this happen in your own home after a shower when walls and surfaces can become coated with condensation.
In a country that has not yet realised the benefits of double-glazed window installations, any home with poor ventilation can suffer from a condensation problem. If you do have a problem with condensation in a particular room, or in the home in general, take note of the following ways to prevent this:
Adequate Ventilation
Sufficient air circulation is essential in any house design, but in the absence of good ventilation, there are steps you can take to improve ventilation and cut down condensation.
An Air Circulation Vent costs from as little at R7 each at your local Builders store and you can have a handyman install it for you, or DIY the project.
- Air circulation vents above windows
Many older homes have air circulation vents above windows that allow air to circulate throughout the home. With increased technology in home building, these vents have fallen out of favour, and they are not easy to install in an existing build. However, if you do have air vents, you might want to check if these are blocked, in which case there is no free air circulation. It's a common condition but many fail to give thought to something as simple as that.
In a bathroom where condensation is an ongoing problem, consider the installation of an air circulation vent or extraction fan in the outside wall. Leaving this problem unattended to could lead to mould and mildew infestation that could be harmful to your family's health.
- Extraction Fan
Similar to a range hood that sucks moisture away from the stovetop, a wall-mounted extraction fan vents inside air to the outside and helps keep moisture to a minimum. Extraction fans are popular in a bathroom, laundry or kitchen, to reduce condensation and eliminate the problems of damp or humidity.
-Better Windows
Of the options mentioned above, removing and replacing poor windows would be the most expensive option of the three. Although, if your windows are in a poor condition, this might be a good time to consider changing them to a design that allows more air to flow into a room.
- Purchase a Dehumidifier
While a humidifier adds moisture to the air, a dehumidifier removes moisture content. You can purchase dehumidifiers in a range of different sizes, but make sure to buy one that will work in the size of the room where it will be placed.
Easy DIY Solution for Better Ventilation
Nothing beats good old-fashioned common sense when it comes to reducing condensation in a home. Try to keep windows and doors open as much as possible. If the condensation problem is in a bathroom, kitchen or laundry, leave doors and windows open for a while to remove as much moisture as possible.