CONDENSATION
If your problem is not from a leak or a faulty or absence of a Damp Proofing Course (DPC), then there is a good chance that the issue stems from something to do with condensation.Â
Excessive condensation creates undesirable living conditions.
At Cobalt Carbon Free, we have over 30 years’ experience diagnosing and treating damp problems that arise as a result of condensation. It is our job to provide a professional service to eradicate your damp problems.
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What are the symptoms?
Condensation damp is caused by moisture-laden air coming in to contact with cold surfaces.
Buildings with poor insulation and/or ventilation can be very prone to condensation problems.
All or some of the symptoms below may be apparent, however some are often not noticed:
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Water collecting in beads or a film on glass and/or painted surfaces
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Damp wallpaper or plaster (the condensing moisture is absorbed, therefore often not recognised)
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Black mould and mildew on walls, windows, skirting boards etc
What are the causes?
There are a number of causes for condensation damp.
These causes can often occur in conjunction with each other which can exasperate the problem.
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Poor ventilation
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Poor insulation
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Producing excess moisture by drying clothes inside
How do we treat condensation damp?
Preventative Measures
These are all measures that you can employ in order to prevent condensation damp forming in the first place.
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Moisture Control
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Keeping the lids on pans when cooking
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Drying clothes outdoors and not on radiators
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Correct venting of tumble dryer and other exhaust systems
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Extraction fans in bathrooms, kitchens and pantries
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Continuous air circulation systems - designed to recycle air in the whole house
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Positive Input Ventilation systems - energy efficient and low maintenance devices
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Air conditioning units and air handling units
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Not only does ventilation reduce condensation mould and damp, it also helps combat allergens and stuffiness - providing you with a whole host of health benefits.
If you do not have any of these measures in place and would be interested in finding out more, please do not hesitate to contact ussince we have over 30 years' experience in installing such systems. Some of the types of systems we install include:
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Insulation and Draught Proofing
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Warm homes suffer less from condensation; roof insulation, loft insulation, floor insulation, internal wall insulation, external wall insulation, cavity wall insulation and basement insulation create a thermal barrier improving energy efficiency and saves you money. Find out more about insulating your home at our HeatSmart page.
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Windows and external doors should be draught-proofed, repaired or upgraded to meet energy efficiency standards
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Room warming - set thermostatic radiator valves to low in unused rooms. Use room heaters with a timer and thermostat control. Unused or empty rooms need a good airing from time to time, so open trickle vents or regularly vent the space
Corrective Measures
If you have damp and mould problems, you can try to eliminate the mould yourself by following the technique below.
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Removing Mould – 3 Stage Method
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Spray the area with a diluted bleach solution. This will help remove the staining that persistent mould can leave behind. Leave to dry overnight
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Then spray the area with an anti-fungal wash and allow that to dry. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and always wear suitable protective equipment when using chemicals
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Wipe with hot water, repeat all steps for heavily affected areas
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If the problem persists or if you would prefer, you can contact us to arrange an appointment with one of our expert Damp Proofing surveyors and we will endeavour to get to the root cause of your problem and tell you the best way to treat and cure the issue.