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Condensation

What is condensation?

• It starts as moisture that is produced by cooking, washing or drying clothes indoors on radiators.
• This moist air condenses on cool surfaces such as walls, mirrors, wall tiles and windows, and even some clothes.
• When the moist air is warm it rises and often ends up on ceilings and in upstairs rooms and then forms mould.

Preventing condensation

Condensation can occur in any home. You can take steps to prevent it.

Control excess moisture:

• close kitchen and bathroom doors to prevent steam going into other colder rooms
• open kitchen and bathroom windows when cooking or washing so that steam can escape, or use an extractor fan if you have one fitted
• open some windows in other rooms for a while each day to allow a change of air
• do not use bottled gas heaters - the gas produces a lot of moisture
• wipe down surfaces where moisture settles to prevent mould forming
• do not block air vents.

Produce less moisture:

• dry clothes outdoors whenever possible, otherwise use well ventilated rooms
• cover pans when cooking
• vent any tumble driers to the outside.

Keep your house warm:

• take steps to prevent heat loss
• maintain low background heat.