How to Treat Condensation on Walls?

Condensation is a common issue that affects households, particularly during the colder months. If left untreated, it can escalate and create dampness and mold problems, potentially leading to structural damage and serious health issues.

What Is Condensation and How Does It Happen?

Condensation is the natural process where water vapor from warm air transforms into liquid droplets when it meets a cooler surface. In homes, it usually happens on windows or walls, especially in winter when those surfaces get cold.

If this happens in your home, that means that the air collects a lot of moisture and you should check what is causing it as soon as possible. Moisture creates dampness that leads to mold growth, which is very bad for your health.

What Are the Signs of Condensation in Homes?

Recognizing the signs of condensation on time is crucial to maintaining a healthy living environment in your home. In a well-ventilated space, condensation typically evaporates fast, but in poorly ventilated or airtight buildings, condensation can stay in carpets, walls, or wooden floors.

Keep an eye out for warning signs like water droplets on windows or walls, or a musty or damp odor. If you notice paint or wallpaper peeling off, or small black spots, these are signs that you should react fast before further damage is done. Black mold spots often appear in bathrooms, basements, or attics, and could be very harmful to the indoor air and your health.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Condensation on Walls and Ceilings?

In its simplest form, condensation appears when temperatures drop and moisture accumulates on windows, walls, or ceilings. Dampness in homes can also be caused by other factors like leaking pipes, inadequate insulation, or external water penetration due to blocked gutters or missing roof tiles.

The most common causes of condensation in homes are:

Inadequate ventilation

Poor ventilation in a home can increase condensation problems. Ventilation is very important to circulate air allowing the moisture to dissipate and reduce the risk of condensation.

Indoor humidity

If indoor humidity levels are high it can contribute to water condensation. Even regular activities like cooking, bathing, or drying clothes indoors can release moisture into the air.

Bad insulation

Low quality or insufficient insulation in walls and ceilings can make these surfaces colder, increasing the chances of condensation. Proper insulation means a lot for maintaining consistent temperatures indoors and reducing condensation.

Cold winters

Cold outdoor temperatures can make the walls and ceilings colder, increasing the risk of condensation indoors.

How to Prevent Condensation in Your Home?

Luckily, dealing with wall condensation doesn’t need to be too difficult if you react on time, and prevent the appearance of mold or other damages moisture can cause. Here are some tips on what changes you can make to improve the airflow in your home:

• Avoid drying your clothes inside

To avoid extra moisture from collecting indoors. If outdoor drying isn't an option, always leave a window open, or consider using a bathroom with an extractor fan or a dehumidifier. Heavier items like sheets and towels can be especially tricky when drying indoors because they release a lot of moisture and take a long time. Finally, using a tumble dryer can be a great option.

• Open the windows

Opening the windows should be your daily habit, as well as leaving the windows slightly ajar at night. Condensation often comes from our breath, which releases warm, humid air. Opening windows creates better ventilation and allows the damp air to escape. While it's natural to want to keep a room warm, it's equally important to allow any excess moisture to exit for better airflow.

• Dry your bathroom

When taking a shower or bath, switch on the extractor fan in your bathroom to get rid of the steam and moisture that forms when hot water meets a cold environment. Besides that, make sure to wipe away any extra water around the bathtub, shower doors, seals, and surrounding areas. If your bathroom has a window, use it! It will allow the humid air to get out, and your bathroom to dry faster.

• Prevent moisture in the kitchen

Believe it or not, cooking can also increase the moisture in your home. Therefore, aim to cover your saucepans with lids to trap the moisture created from boiling water, and don’t let it spread in the air. To contain the steam and moisture, keep your kitchen door closed during cooking. Also, make sure to use an extractor fan, as these are specifically designed to reduce moisture and eliminate odors.

• Provide proper ventilation

Proper ventilation is essential for reducing the moisture in your home. Using extractor fans, and opening the windows, is already a first step towards a well-ventilated home.

Trickle vents in windows offer effective ventilation by allowing a small amount of air circulation at the tops of windows and doors. If you're building or renovating your home, consider more advanced options like a mechanical extract ventilation system (MVHR), which ensures a constant supply of filtered fresh air, maintaining indoor air quality.

Modern installation requirements for new homes often involve fans that extract stale air and release it outside. You can choose between a standard fan controlled by a switch or a humidistat fan that automatically operates based on timers or until steam and condensation are cleared.

• Keep your home warm

To prevent moisture from accumulating in your home during the colder months, try to keep your place warm and maintain a consistent temperature. Condensation appears indoors when warm air meets cold walls or windows. By ensuring a warm environment, you prevent moisture issues.

• Find the right insulation

To reduce the risk of condensation, it's important to address cold spots on walls and ceilings. Insulation is therefore a long-term solution. By installing roof and loft insulation, as well as external wall insulation, you not only keep your home warmer but also cut down on energy expenses.

Good insulation is key for combating condensation and dampness, ensuring a more comfortable and cost-effective living environment.

• Use anti-condensation paint

To prevent condensation on walls, consider using anti-condensation paint. It will help insulate your walls and prevent condensation issues. Before applying the paint, make sure that there is no mold on the walls or ceilings and that the surfaces are completely dry. Applying two coats of this specialized paint can effectively enhance insulation and reduce condensation problems in your home.

• Get a dehumidifier

Investing in a reliable dehumidifier can be a smart solution against condensation on walls. Dehumidifiers work by drawing in air from the room, extracting excess moisture, and then returning it to the room with added warmth.

You don't necessarily need to break the bank to get one, as even the cheaper ones can effectively reduce condensation, making them a cost-effective option for improving indoor air quality and comfort in your home.

How to Get Rid of Moisture and Condensation?

If you're out of the prevention stage and already need to solve moisture-related issues, don't worry – that’s possible regardless of the damage extent. Here are some guidelines for addressing condensation on interior walls:

• Assess the damage

To find an appropriate solution, you must first understand the extent of the damage. Minor issues, like small damp patches, may not require extensive repairs. On the other hand, if you detect a musty odor both inside and outside your home, along with black mold growing on interior walls, it signals a more serious problem.

• Identify the cause

One of the first things is to determine what's causing the moisture issue. It could be inadequate ventilation in a specific room or certain cooking habits. Knowing the cause is the way to address the issue at its source before proceeding with repairs.

• Dry the affected area

Use fans or take advantage of sunny days to dry any damp or soggy wood. Make sure the entire affected area is thoroughly dried. If necessary, look for professional assistance to ensure you did it properly.

• Remove the mold

Make sure you safely remove any mold buildup from your walls and consider replacing any beams or panels showing signs of mold or rot. When doing that, always wear suitable protective gear because of its potential health risks.

• Replace or repair damaged materials

After removing all affected materials, replace them with new, resilient options and wall insulation. Proper installation is also crucial to prevent the moisture from coming back and creating further damage.

• Monitor the previously affected areas

Once everything is restored, keep an eye on moisture levels in your home to ensure the problem has been completely resolved. It can be a good idea to take photos of the repaired area to track any future discoloration or issues that may arise.

When to Hire Professionals?

If you've tried and followed all our suggestions but persistent condensation still remains a problem in your home, it might be time to ask for professional help and more complex solutions.

An experienced and fully qualified damp surveyor can assess your property and investigate the condensation problem. After the survey, they'll discuss the most suitable actions to address the situation. If needed, the professional technicians can then apply one of the condensation treatments to help resolve the issue effectively.

Some of these treatments include:

• Professional mold cleaning
• Application of anti-condensation paint
• Positive pressure ventilation of the entire house
• Heat recovery ventilation
• Anti-condensation thermal plastering with insulation

Whatever the situation with condensation or moisture in your home, contacting professionals is always a good idea, as they can do the proper work and bring you peace of mind that the problem is resolved for good.