We know that condensation is the transition of a gas or vapor into a liquid state. Condensation in residential buildings occurs as a result of the large difference between the outside and inside temperature and most often occurs during the heating season. Then the warm air created by the household, due to various reasons (heating, cooking, showering), comes into contact with cold surfaces and condenses.
Condensation, as well as the damage it causes to walls, and furniture, is a direct result of living in modern conditions, driven by the desire for warmer and more comfortable rooms. In many apartments, especially in the attics, the ceilings and walls are well insulated, the doors and windows are quality installed. As a result, the rooms are warmer, but also with very limited ventilation, so the water vapor produced during normal daily life activities doesn’t have a chance to leave the room, thus only encouraging condensation.
What causes condensation?
The air that surrounds us always contains a certain amount of water vapor that is invisible. The warmer the air, the more moisture it can contain, but we reach a point call it “saturated” air where at a certain temperature the air cannot “absorb” more moisture. When such air, comes into contact with cold surfaces, it cools and rejects the excess water it carries with it in the form of a fine mist on the cold surface or even in the form of tiny water droplets.
Where does the moisture in the air come from?
The main sources of moisture in the air are cooking, bathing, laundry, heating, breathing
Where windows with double- or triple-glass, condensation problems will be less than in rooms with single-glass windows. In a heated, well-insulated room, the inner surface of the glass will be warmer, reducing the risk of condensation. However, in a well-insulated room, the glass will still be the coldest part, so condensation will form here. It should not be forgotten that double glass windows is an excellent temperature insulator, not a source of heat. Thus, in an inadequately heated room, the inner glass will be at a similar temperature to the outer, creating ideal conditions for condensation to occur.
Steps to reduce condensation!
– Provide adequate ventilation!
– The room should be ventilated on a daily basis. Keep the window open for 5-10 minutes every day to allow air exchange.
– Limit moisture build-up.
Set dehumidifiers near stoves and ovens. During the shower or bath, don’t allow the hot water to flow unnecessarily. Keep the bathroom door closed and open the bathroom window for 10-15 minutes after taking a bath.
Ensure a continuous flow of warm air through the window glass by positioning the radiators directly below the window and leave certain heat sources permanently under the window during cold days.