Condensation on windows is a common problem for homeowners. When hot air collides with the cold surface of a windowpane, condensation quickly forms. If left unchecked, this mild form of damp can cause unnecessary damage to your property.
Condensation on windows becomes more pronounced during the winter months, but luckily there are a number of simple but effective fixes you can employ to alleviate the problem before it leads to complications.
If you’re struggling to deal with condensation on windows, the expert team at Atlantis Damp is here to explain what causes condensation and how you can prevent it from forming. Here’s everything you need to know about condensation on windows.
What Is Condensation on Windows?
Condensation on windows is the most common form of damp, and it can occur in any property or household, regardless of the age of the building.
Condensation is a natural process that results from warm air colliding with a colder surface. Air naturally holds moisture, but when hot air hits a colder windowpane, the air rapidly cools down and releases that moisture.
The result of this collision is condensation, which you’ll see in the form of moisture or water droplets collecting on the windows. Condensation is a very mild type of damp, but if there is a lot of condensation and it’s not removed, it can start to cause problems.
Condensation can cause mould to form, it can damage windowsills or the surrounding décor, and it can lead to more serious damp problems if left unchecked.
What Are the Causes of Condensation on Windows?
Condensation on windows can be caused by a number of factors, but the overriding causes will be either too much humidity in the building or poor ventilation.
Condensation can form on any window in the house, but it’s most commonly found in kitchens and bathrooms. In order for condensation to form, you need hot air and a cold surface, so it’s easy for it to quickly form when you’re running a hot shower or have the kettle on. If the windows and doors are closed, the humidity levels in the room can rise – and if the windows are cold, you’ve got the perfect conditions for condensation.
Condensation on windows can occur whenever you have the necessary conditions, but it’s a problem that’s seriously exacerbated in winter. As outside temperatures fall, windowpanes remain cold while the central heating inside the building is turned up. When the hot air inside hits the windows, you’ve got condensation.
Tips to Prevent Condensation Forming on Windows
Condensation is a mild form of damp, but it can still cause problems and damage if it’s not dealt with properly. The best way to prevent damage is to stop the condensation from forming in the first place.
Luckily, it’s often quite easy to prevent condensation on windows, and it can be as simple as opening a window to ventilate the room or running a dehumidifier in your house.
Here are a few of our top tips to help prevent condensation from forming on your windows:
- Open the windows, particularly when cooking or running hot showers or baths
- Turn on the extractor fan, if you have one installed
- Keep pots and pans covered when cooking, and remember to turn on the extractor hood
- Keep your kettle away from the windows
- Ensure that internal doors are closed to stop hot air from moving from one room to the next when cooking or showering
- Make sure your home is well insulated, to stop cold patches from forming on surfaces
- Install a dehumidifier if problems persist
Signs That Your Home May Have a Moisture Problem
If you’re starting to notice condensation on windows, it’s a sure sign that you’ve got a moisture problem in your home. While condensation on windows isn’t always dangerous, it can be a sign that there are wider moisture or ventilation issues in the building.
There are also other signs to look out for. If you notice any of the following, there’s a high chance you have a moisture or damp problem:
- Musty smells
- Mould
- Wood rot
- Peeling plaster
- Damaged wallpaper
- Damp patches
- Salt marks on walls
How to Find and Fix a Moisture Problem in Your Home
Moisture problems aren’t just caused by condensation, which is usually the easiest damp issue to locate and fix in your home. Excess moisture can also result in more serious issues, including penetrating damp and rising damp.
These two other forms of damp can cause serious structural damage to your home if they aren’t removed, and they are often caused by leaks, floods, rising groundwater and other sources of excess moisture.
If you notice any of the above signs of excess moisture, whether it’s a musty smell, growths of mould or visible damp patches on walls or floors, it’s highly recommended that you call in a professional to survey your home. Excess moisture often causes the most damage when it’s in hidden or hard-to-reach places, so it’s important to have your entire property thoroughly checked in order to find and fix all potential moisture problems.
If you’re unsure as to what the cause of condensation on windows is, it’s a good idea to speak to an expert. A damp survey can help to identify the cause of condensation and other damp problems, while providing solutions to the issues.
Contact Atlantis Damp for More Information on Preventing Condensation on Windows
Identifying the source of condensation on windows in your home can help you to remove the problem before it begins to cause any serious damage to your property. If you’re having difficulty keeping your house condensation free, our team of damp experts are here to help.
Our family-run business can assist with problems arising from all forms of damp and condensation, and we can provide damp-proofing solutions that ensure your house is well protected in the future. Contact Atlantis Damp today for more information.
