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How to Get Rid of Condensation Inside Windows

How to Get Rid of Condensation Inside Windows

by | Sep 13, 2023

Although mild in appearance, condensation can wreak as much havoc on a home as other forms of damp, if left untreated. This is especially the case when found in and around windows. In this article, we’ll examine how condensation occurs and how to get rid of condensation inside windows.

What Is Condensation?

Before delving into how to get rid of condensation inside windows, it’s helpful to explain what condensation is and why it poses a serious threat to your property. Condensation is the process whereby water vapour makes contact with a cold surface and becomes liquid. This can appear as water droplets, pools of liquid water or a layer of dew on or around those surfaces. Aside from being a frustrating task to wipe away, condensation can have serious consequences in the form of mildew and black mould. These can bring damage to walls and furnishings, and spark breathing problems from inhaling mould spores. 

Why Does Condensation Happen?

Day-to-day activities such as cooking, drying clothes indoors, and bathing increase the amount of water vapour inside a building. When that moisture cannot escape and temperatures decrease, the vapour will condense to liquid water on cold surfaces. This occurrence is especially prevalent during winter when activities are primarily done inside. At the same time, temperatures fluctuate due to heating going on and off, and plummeting temperatures outside. 

How to Get Rid of Condensation Inside Your Windows

If your home suffers from condensation, it has likely made an appearance inside your windows. Typically, condensed water found inside double-glazed windows suggests that the seals around the window are damaged. Hiring a professional to replace the damaged seals will prevent further harm by condensation. However, when researching how to get rid of condensation inside your windows, ventilation and dehumidification are also useful methods. Opening windows, using ceiling fans or installing air vents to help moist air circulate can all help with ventilation. Investing in a dehumidifier will also remove water vapour, so that condensation can’t happen. 

How to Prevent Condensation on Your Windows

Condensation is the result of simple daily actions. Similarly, preventing condensation can be achieved by simple actions. Solutions such as opening windows and rearranging houseplants seem small, yet demonstrate significant results when considering how to get rid of

condensation inside windows

Much like ceiling fans, extractor fans are useful in reducing moist air and preventing condensation. When installed in rooms that produce the most water vapour, for example kitchens and bathrooms, fans will siphon the moist air outside.  Dehumidifiers are excellent tools to reduce moisture, although a certain amount of humidity is required in a property, generally around 30–50%. If you want to reduce condensation yet retain a healthy level of humidity, consider putting your dehumidifier on a lower setting.  As unconventional as it sounds, the houseplants placed around your home can help to prevent condensation; the key is to use plants that absorb moist air. Aside from preventing condensation this can also improve overall air quality.  Condensation is not only a consequence of moist air indoors, but also temperature fluctuations. Therefore, maintaining a low and consistent temperature for longer rather than changing the temperature for short periods of time will ensure a constant heat where condensation cannot form on surfaces. 

Contact Atlantis Property Preservation

At Atlantis Property Preservation, our team of experts are on standby to help you to find the most suitable treatment for how to get rid of condensation inside windows. 

Does damp affect the value of your home?

Does damp affect the value of your home?

by | Mar 29, 2023

Damp issues can be a home seller’s worst nightmare. Not only will it impact the value of your home, it can affect potential buyers’ perception of your home and how much you can make from a sale. 

In this article, the experts at Atlantis Damp will explain how damp can affect the sale of your home, and how a dampness survey can save you time while maximising your earnings. 

Can You Sell a House with Damp Issues?

Although you can sell a house with damp, you have a legal obligation to disclose damp issues to potential buyers. That obligation still exists even if the damp is not clearly visible, for example if it’s covered by a coat of paint. 

How Much Does Damp Affect House Prices?

Damp issues will affect the value of your home and how much you can sell it for. Many potential buyers will be repelled once you’ve disclosed that your home has damp issues. Remaining buyers will likely use your damp issues as leverage to offer a lower price. If the issue is particularly visible or severe, buyers would consider the additional time and cost of fixing the damp should they purchase your home. 

If you’re working with an estate agent, you may be advised to consider other selling options such as private sale or auction, because the house has a lower market value. This naturally leads to a lower commission for them, therefore they may encourage a quick sale.  

Ultimately, the severity of the damp will determine its effect on house prices. Conducting a dampness survey will give an accurate account of the damp issues in your home. 

Should You Fix Damp Before Selling Your House?

It would be wise to address your home’s damp issues before selling. It’s unlikely that this will increase its value. Even a history of damp is unattractive to some buyers. However, it will significantly decrease the devaluation of your home due to unfixed damp. You’re more likely to get an offer closer to your asking price. 

Fixing damp issues after putting your house on the market will delay a sale. Buyers will see your house as a project, rather than a home. Furthermore, the longer your house sits on the market, the  more other buyers will assume there’s something wrong with it. Therefore, it’s better to address damp issues before putting your house up for sale.

What Is a Damp Survey and How Can It Help?

A dampness survey is an evaluation to determine the presence and extent of damp in a building.

Having a professional conduct a dampness survey before listing your house is the best course of action, because it will provide useful information that can be used before and during the sale.

You’ll receive a report on whether you have damp and the severity of the issue. If you intend to fix the damp prior to sale, an expert can estimate the cost and time of repairs. If you intend to sell without making repairs, the report can be used to adjust your asking price and explain the issue to potential buyers. 

Contact Atlantis Damp to Book Your Dampness Survey

Identifying damp before putting your house on the market can determine the value of your home and affect how you proceed with the sale. 

Contact Atlantis Damp today for more information on a dampness survey. 

How to Prevent Condensation in your home

How to Prevent Condensation in your home

by | Mar 1, 2023

Condensation on windows is a regular sight throughout the year. Condensation is the most common form of damp that properties can suffer from. Luckily, it’s also the easiest problem to fix. 

If you’re worried about condensation in your home, we’re here to explain its causes and how to prevent it. 

What Causes Condensation in your home?

Condensation forms when hot, moist air hits a colder surface like a windowpane or an external wall. Warm air naturally holds water droplets in the form of moisture, and when warm air cools down or collides with cold surfaces, the moisture condenses into water droplets, causing condensation.

You’ll typically see condensation on windows when the moisture content of the air is heavy. Condensation can also lead to black mould growth, particularly where air flow is stagnant.

Moisture is generated in the home due to the way we live. This can happen when you have a hot shower, put the kettle or dry washing on a radiator. 

Condensation is even more likely to form during the winter when there are more colder surfaces in your home. Lower temperatures mean the air can hold less moisture, and when you’re more likely to have the heating on high. 

Why Is It Important to Reduce Condensation in your home?

Small amounts of condensation in your home might seem harmless, but there are several important reasons to resolve the issue. It’s important to remember that condensation is a form of damp; it can still cause damage to your home and lead to health problems. 

For all of the reasons below, it’s important to reduce condensation in your home:

  • Leads to the growth of damp and mould patches in your home
  • Causes musty, odorous, lingering smells
  • Damages wallpaper, plastering, decor and furniture
  • Can create the conditions for wet and dry rot
  • May cause respiratory problems and other illnesses

How to Prevent Condensation in your home

Luckily, there are several key methods that can help to prevent condensation in your home.

Effectively, you either need to either increase ventilation or warm up the surfaces, remove opportunities for dew point to be reached on cold surfaces. For mild problems, it can even be as simple as opening the back door when you’re cooking, or switching on the extractor fan when you’re having a hot shower. 

Key prevention techniques include:

  • Improving ventilation throughout your home
  • Opening windows and doors
  • Making use of extractor fans
  • Installing dehumidifiers
  • Improving the insulation in your home
  • Running the heating at a minimum of 16 degrees during winter

How Can Atlantis Property Preservation Help Treat Condensation in your home?

Atlantis Property Preservation is here to help treat condensation problems in your home. If you’re concerned about the level of condensation appearing in your home, our specialist technicians can undertake a damp survey to uncover the cause of the problems. 

We’ll investigate the source of the condensation and check for signs of any other types of damp, such as rising or penetrating damp. We’ll then provide you with a detailed breakdown of the problem, and solutions to treat it. 

Our team may recommend a thorough ventilation plan for your home, which may include the installation of specialist ventilation systems that keep condensation to a minimum. 

Contact Atlantis Property Preservation for More Information about Condensation on Windows

Atlantis Property Preservation’s experienced team of specialists will reduce the risk of condensation in your home.

Contact our friendly staff today to find out how we can help you. 

 

How much does a Damp Proofing course cost?

by | Nov 30, 2022

 

 

If you want to keep your home moisture free, then a damp-proof course is vital of that. A damp-proof course is an effective way to stop water from entering a property from the earth, and it helps protect your home against moisture damage that causes decorative spoiling.

But how much does a damp-proof course cost to install? The expert team at Atlantis Property Preservation is here to explain everything you need to know. 

What Is a Damp-Proof Course?

A damp-proof course, or DPC, is designed to form a protective, waterproof barrier that stops moisture from seeping into your home. Damp-proof courses create an impervious barrier that makes it impossible to dampness to rise up the walls. They are commonly made from impermeable materials, and they are typically installed in the mortar bed below the internal floor level to protect against rising water. 

There are several types of damp-proof courses available, each of which has different associated costs. The most common DPCs include:

  • Chemical damp-proof course injections
  • Mortar damp proof-course injections
  • Electroosmotic damp-proof courses

Why Do You Need a Damp-Proof Course?

A damp-proof course is a vital protective measure that may stop your home from suffering damage from damp. Here are the most important reasons to ensure you have a damp-proof course installed:

  • Keeps your home protected against rising damp
  • Stops problems that arise from dampness, including wet rot and mould
  • Helps you to avoid health problems, such as respiratory illnesses, that may arise due to black toxic mould spores associated with condensation. Black mould is likely to form on the coldest walls in your home, and damp walls are naturally colder than dry walls, therefore making black mould more likely in a damp home.
  • Increases the value of your property over time
  • Saves you money in the long-term, as you avoid paying for costly repairs.

How Much Does a Damp-Proof Course Cost? 

The cost of a damp-proof course varies from one property to the next. Major costs will include the materials and labour, so the size of the property and the type of DPC being installed will affect the overall price. 

The major factors that affect the cost of installing a damp-proof course include:

  • The size of the area that requires damp-proofing within your property
  • The time that’s needed for the work to be carried out
  • The type of DPC you’re going to have installed
  • Additional survey, damp-proofing or repair work to your property

If damp has already taken hold in your property, you may also need to factor in other costs in order to fix and remove the damp problem before a new DPC can be installed. For an accurate estimation, it’s essential that you have a consultation with a damp-proofing specialist and have a detailed survey undertaken. 

What Is Included in the Cost of a Damp-Proof Course?

With a professional company such as Atlantis Property Preservation, the cost of a damp-proof course may include the following:

  • Pre-installation survey, with any upfront survey cost deducted from the invoice of any required works.
  • Installation of the damp proof-course
  • Replastering or membrane installation
  • Tanking solutions to cater for any shortfall
  • Solutions to solve penetrating damp
  • Solutions to solve condensation issues
  • Clean up and removal of waste materials
  • Warranty

Contact Atlantis Property Preservation for more information and arrange for our expert team to visit your home.

Atlantis Property Preservation’s experienced team of damp-proofing specialists will ensure that your property is fully protected.

Contact our friendly staff today to find out how we can damp-proof your home.

What are the main signs of damp in your home?

What are the main signs of damp in your home?

by | Sep 27, 2022

Have you noticed a pungent, mushroomy smell wafting through your home? Are mould or stains forming on your walls or ceilings?

If the answer is yes, then you’re likely to be witnessing the first signs of condensation in your home.

Homeowners should be aware of the damage that condensation and damp can cause, and act fast to have it removed.

In this article, we identify the main signs of condensation and damp to watch out for, before explaining how you can treat damp in your home.

What Are the Main Signs of Damp?

Musty smells, visible moisture staining, rotting timbers and growths of mould are all visible signs of Condensation in your home.

But there are many more signs that may go unnoticed and only become apparent after a thorough inspection of the premises.

If you’ve noticed any of the following signs of damp or condensation, it’s time to call in a professional for a closer look:

  • Pungent, mushroom-like smells
  • Mouldy patches
  • Damp patches
  • Rotting timbers and woodwork
  • Salty tide marks on the walls
  • Cold or wet ceilings, walls or floors
  • Peeling plasterboard or wallpaper
  • Water droplets clinging to walls
  • Damaged or crumbling masonry
  • Leaks, broken pipes or damaged drains

What Problems Can Damp Leave You With?

Damp can damage your home, cause health problems, and lead to serious structural issues if left untreated. Major problems caused by damp include:

  • Damaged decoration and furnishings
  • Health issues, such as coughing, asthma and other respiratory problems
  • Rotten timbers and weakened structural supports
  • Weakened brickwork and masonry
  • The need for costly repairs

How Can You Treat Damp and condensation in Your Home?

If you spot any of the main signs of damp and condensation in your home, it’s important to schedule a professional damp survey immediately. A survey is the first step towards treating damp, and the surveyor will identify the cause, source and type of damp afflicting your home before recommending the best fix.

The exact treatment will depend on the type of damp, the extent of the damp problem and where it’s located, but common fixes include:

  • Install ventilation systems
  • Injecting a chemical damp proof course
  • Repairing or replacing damaged brickwork and rotten timbers
  • Replastering walls with damp-proof materials
  • Lowering the external ground level of a building so it’s below the damp-proof course

How Can You Protect Your Home From Damp and condensation?

There are several ways to protect your home from damp in the future, the majority of which involve removing opportunities for moisture to enter your home and allowing moisture laden air to escape your home too. Common methods include:

  • Ensuring all pipes and gutters are fixed and clear of debris
  • Keeping your home well ventilated
  • installing ventilation systems
  • Injecting a damp-proof course into the walls

Contact Atlantis Property Preservation is to Find Out More about the Main Signs of Damp and Condensation

If you’re worried about damp in your home, Atlantis Property Preservation is here to help. Our highly qualified team of experts can advise you on the main signs of damp and carry out a professional survey to identify its source.

For more information or to book your damp survey, contact the friendly team at Atlantis Property Preservation today.

What is a damp survey?

by | Aug 23, 2022

A damp survey is a thorough investigation of a property carried out by a professional in order to determine if there is any damp present. It’s vital to have one carried out if you’re purchasing a new property or if you believe your home might be experiencing problems associated with dampness. 

In this article, we explain what a damp survey is, what it involves, and how long it takes. 

How to Tell If You Need a Damp Survey

A damp survey is a report compiled by a professional damp specialist. There are several instances when you might require one, including:

  • If you are purchasing a new property
  • If you are selling your property
  • If you suspect you might have damp
  • If you notice any signs of damp

If you notice any of the following signs, there’s a high probability you have damp in your home. You should arrange for a survey to confirm this. These signs include:

  • Musty or fungal smells
  • Visible mould
  • Rotting timbers
  • Damaged plaster or wallpaper
  • Broken masonry
  • Salty tide marks on walls

What Does a Damp Survey Show?

Importantly, a damp survey will confirm the presence of damp in a property and can also show what type of damp is present. 

A thorough damp survey will confirm if you have any of the following in your home:

  • Condensation
  • Rising damp
  • Penetrating damp

Damp surveys are often carried out as part of a wider ‘damp and timber survey’, where a specialist will check for wet and dry rot, woodworm infestations, and other issues associated with damp and timbers. 

What Is Involved in a Damp Survey?

A comprehensive damp survey will involve a professional entering your property and carrying out a number of different investigations and tests. They will ask the property owner a number of questions in order to find out how old the property is, whether there are any noticeable problems, and more. Once the survey has been carried out, the specialist will compile a report based on their data, observations and findings. 

A few of the key steps that a damp surveyor will undertake include:

  • Asking the property owner questions
  • Looking at the history of the property
  • Taking physical observations of the property
  • Assessing visible signs of damp
  • Using specialist equipment such as a damp meter to locate damp

How Long Does a Damp Survey Take?

The time it takes for a damp survey to be carried out depends on the size of the property and the extent of any problems that may be found. This does not include the time required to compile the report afterwards. 

Contact Atlantis Damp to Book Your Damp Survey

If you’re worried about damp in your home or if you’d like a thorough damp survey carried out when purchasing a new property, Atlantis Damp is here to help. 

For more information or to book your damp survey, contact the friendly team at Atlantis Damp today.