Condensation is a very real problem for both your home and commercial environment. It can create mould and damp which if left, can not only ruin windows, cause wood rot etc., but can also lead to medical issues, especially respiratory ones.
What causes condensation?
- Temperature differences on the outdoors/indoors.
- A humid environment.
- Drying washing indoors.
- Cooking with your pan lid off.
- A lack of ventilation.
- The temperature dropping at night.
- Rain followed by heat.
- Showers and baths.
What can it cause?
Why do you need to deal with condensation daily? Surely it is just water?
Unfortunately, and as mentioned above, condensation can cause many issues. Here are a few of the reasons why you should be dealing with it rather than leaving it to dry on its own.
Mould can be the most significant issue to deal with. It can destroy and stain surfaces and make your living/working environment hazardous. As black mould starts to build up (you can see black spots appearing on the surface), it can release spores that can cause any of the following issues if inhaled.
- Aches and pains in the body.
- Mood swings.
- Headaches.
- Nosebleeds.
- Memory loss.
- Cold-like symptoms.
- Skin Rashes
- Dry Cough
- Wheezing
It can be especially problematic for those who suffer allergies and can cause asthma among children.
But as scary as all of these issues may seem, condensation is a very old issue, and we have the means of dealing with it.
How to prevent condensation and mould build-up.
There are many simple ways to help prevent condensation, but some situations are more straightforward than others.
From a commercial standpoint, if your office is locked down, you must be making frequent visits to ensure that mould is not building up on window ledges and walls. Suppose you have a heating system which runs on a timer. It may be causing drastic temperature drops in the evening, and with the cold weather right outside the window, it could be causing an immense amount of humidity in your office.
If this condensation is allowed to keep occurring, by the time you return to your office, you may find that black toxic mould has started to settle.
Prevention is better than cure
You can prevent the above from happening by keeping a steady temperature in your building, getting a dehumidifier, or sending in cleaners regularly to ensure the windows and walls are kept in good shape.
Furniture can be a cause for mould build-up too. If your sofa or cupboards are against an outside wall, then you may find that the humidity is captured between them. Mould could be accumulating out of your sight so be sure to check behind these, especially in winter months.
To prevent this, you can pull your furniture an inch or so away from the walls. If you purchase a household dehumidifier, you will be surprised at the amount of water that accumulates in your atmosphere, especially after showering or leaving your clothing to dry.
Condensation on windows is commonplace. It is clearly visible and thankfully, easy to remove. Using a spray such as our Bio D all-purpose sanitiser spray will keep the mould at bay. Taking the time to dab away the moisture in the morning will significantly reduce the mould problem.
Slightly opening your windows can create adequate ventilation, preventing the moisture-filled air from settling on surfaces such as walls and glass windows.
If the condensation persists, you will want to consider using some anti-condensation paint to cover the zones that get affected the most. If you choose to do this, make sure that all excess mould is removed and killed beforehand.