Condensation

signs of condensation
Dampness occurring in
winter rather than summer.
Damp and black mould
in the corners of rooms,
behind furniture and in
cupboards.
Walls, ceilings and cold
surfaces, such as cold
This leaflet explains what condensation is, how it can water pipes, sweat with
affect your health and the condition of your home, moisture.
and what you can do to reduce it. Water appears on the
inside of windows.
Condensation happens in all homes when warm moist air meets a
cold surface and tiny water droplets develop. The more moisture in Outside walls are affected
the air, the more water is produced. rather than walls between
rooms.
Everyday activities, such as cooking, washing clothes and bathing
create moisture in the air. There is always some moisture in the air Clothes in cupboards and
and warm air holds more moisture than cold air. You notice it when drawers have a musty
you see your breath on a cold day, or when the mirror mists over smell and mildew on them.
when you have a bath.
Condensation often happens because warm damp air from
kitchens and bathrooms moves to cooler areas, such as bedrooms. It
happens more in cold weather, even if it is raining or dry. Look for it in
corners, on or near windows, in or behind wardrobes and cupboards. CONTACT US

how it effects you 0800 137 111

If left unchecked and untreated, condensation can become a
repairs@kctmo.org.uk
serious problem. Too much condensation will make your home
damp. House dust mites and mould growth both occur more www.kctmo.org.uk
often in damp conditions, and these are associated with allergic
reactions. For translations please turn over
Damp conditions can also cause damage to your home, such as
causing windows to rust or rot, and plaster to perish, and in serious
cases can damage electrics. Your decorations can be spoilt by
damp and mould growth.

Kensington & Chelsea TMO, 292a Kensal Road, London, W10 5BE
Continued from over page...

is it condensation or a leak? Decorating

Condensation is caused by moisture produced in the When you
home, but it is not the only cause of damp. It can also redecorate your
come from building or plumbing leaks or rising damp. bathroom or
kitchen, use a
Signs of dampness from leaks paint designed to
It can happen any time of year. be used in these
rooms.
You can see a definite damp area with water
staining. If you are
decorating a
Little or no black mould appears on the damp
room where
area. If you suspect that dampness in your home
mould is a
is caused by a leak you should report it to us.
problem, it is
best to remove
Preventing condensation: your any wallpaper
responsibilities and instead use
Looking after your home a good quality
Remove mould growth by using a mould and fungicidal paint.
mildew cleaning product (available from most
Treat and remove the mould before redecorating
supermarkets and DIY stores). Make sure you
- there are various products on the market that
use a product which has a Health and Safety
will help, such as fungicidal products available in
Executive approval number, and that you follow
DIY stores.
the manufacturers instructions.
Use a stain block or sealer to help stop mould
Wipe down the inside of windows if they become
coming back.
wet with condensation.
Do not place beds and wardrobes against outside
Reducing steam and moisture
walls as mould is more likely to grow behind
When cooking, cover pans with lids, and keep
furniture.
the kitchen door closed to stop wet air from
Dont put too many things in wardrobes and circulating around your flat or house. Make sure
cupboards as it stops the air circulating. a window is open or the extractor fan is on.
If you rent a home managed by KCTMO, report If you use a tumble dryer make sure it is vented
any repairs to us, including any problems with so that the air escapes to the outside.
extractor fans and heating systems.
If you have to dry clothes indoors put them in
a room and close the door, leaving the window
wide open or fan on.
When bathing, run cold water into the bath first,
and then run the hot water. This creates less
steam.

Heating your home

Heat all rooms even if they are not being used
radiators with Thermostatic Radiator Valves
(TRVs) will give you greater control over the
heat from each individual radiator.
If you have central heating, use the thermostat
to set the temperature to a comfortable level
(around 18c to 21c). Remember, turning the
thermostat down by 1 or 2 degrees can save
energy and save you money.
Do not place furniture in front of radiators, as this
will stop them from heating the room.
Continued from over page...

Do not use the heating on a high setting for short Some fans switch on and off automatically
periods of time. Heating your home for a longer according to the amount of moisture in the air.
time at a lower temperature will keep your home Do not turn these off at the power switch as they
warmer and cost you less. are designed to work when they are needed. If
you suspect that they are coming on more or less
Do not use portable LPG (Calor Gas) heaters.
often than they should please report this to us.
These produce a lot of moisture and are not
allowed in our homes for health and safety
reasons. Repairs and improvement works for
tenants: Our responsibilities
Ventilating your home
In most cases, if you follow the steps in this leaflet
Its important to allow plenty of fresh air into your
you will be able to keep condensation under control,
home to stop the air indoors becoming stale and
and it will not be necessary for us to carry out repairs.
humid, which is not good for your health.
Always keep a small window or an air vent open Older and disabled tenants
when you are at home. Its best to keep air vents If you are a tenant over 65 years of age, or are
open all the time. disabled we may be able to help you treat mould in
After youve had a bath or shower, open the your bathroom, toilet or kitchen. Please contact us to
bathroom window until the steam has cleared, or arrange an inspection.
use the extractor fan if you have one.
We will consider carrying out works if:
When cooking, make sure the kitchen door is There is widespread mould growth in a bedroom
closed and either the extractor fan is on (if you or living room.
have one), or a window is open.
You are a tenant, and have followed the advice in
Extractor fans this leaflet and still have very bad condensation
Some of our homes are fitted with extractor and mould growth.
fans. These can quickly remove damp air from
kitchens and bathrooms, where most moisture is
produced.
Extractor fans should be used whenever you are
cooking or bathing. After youve finished in the
bathroom or the kitchen, leave the fan on for
about 20 minutes to make sure all the steam has
cleared.
When using an extractor fan keep the windows
in the room closed. If a window is open the fan
will draw air in from outside, rather than drawing
the damp air out from the room. Make sure your
curtains or blinds dont cover the fan.
Continued from over page...

If you have bad condensation and mould like this

in a living room or bedroom contact us to arrange
an inspection we may need to carry out works,
which could range from a professional mould
clean, to insulating walls or fitting extractor fans.

We will not carry out works:

On small areas of mould.
In hallways, bathrooms, toilets or kitchens.
If you have small patches of mould growth you
will need to remove it yourself using cleaning
products and anti-mould paints.
If you have any questions about condensation or
responisibilities for repairs in your home, contact us
for advice.

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