What does condensation in your loft mean and how to prevent it?
CONDENSATION in the home can be worrisome for those having to deal with it but it is a common and, luckily, fixable problem.
While it is important not to get too stressed over the presence of condensation, it is equally crucial to deal with the issue as quickly as possible to avoid damage to your home – or health.
What does condensation in your loft mean?
Lofts are an area where condensation is frequently spotted.
According to Evergreen Power UK, condensation in the loft can mean that the attic space has been been poorly insulated.
It could also mean that badly fitted or cheap loft hatches have been used.
Another cause of condensation in your loft could be poor ventilation.
The presence of condensation in your loft indicates that some action needs to be taken to prevent damage to your roof and the rest of your home.
Excess condensation can lead to damp, which can damage walls and and ceilings, and also causes mould.
According to the NHS, if you have damp and mould in your home you could be “more likely to have respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies or asthma“.
Damp and mould can also impact the immune system.
How do you prevent condensation in your loft?
To prevent condensation, it is recommended that you ensure the attic is properly insulated and ventilated.
It is also worth ensuring that the loft hatches are of a high quality and are properly fitted.
Appliances like dehumidifiers and recirculating systems can be used in loft spaces, though these can be pricey.
Timberwise offers several suggestions of simple, every day actions people can carry out in other areas of the home to help prevent condensation in their loft.
These include opening windows and doors in bathrooms and kitchens, drying clothes outside (where possible) and using extractor fans.
In other rooms of the house, anti-condensation paint can also be used.
The paint, sold on Amazon for £18.75 and on Toolstation for £26.99, helps prevent mould and moisture from forming and staying on walls.
Certain houseplants can also help reduce mildew and mould, as well as making an appealing addition to your home.
What causes condensation?
Condensation becomes present when warm air cools quickly, like, for example, when it collides with a cold surface.
Condensation gets much worse in the winter as people, naturally, keep windows closed and the temperatures higher to try to keep as much heat in the home as possible.
This means that the warm air ciruclating doesn’t have anywhere to go and when it lands on cold surfaces, such as windows, the warm air turns into liquid.
Warm air can be generated from many activities in the home.
Some of these include every day tasks such as cooking, ironing, or showering.
Where else can you expect to find condensation?
Condensation is very common on windows due to their temperatures being significantly colder than that of the warm air circulating in homes.
Window Insulation Kits, which can be purchased on Amazon, are one product which has been hailed as a solution for the increase in condensation on windows through the winter months.
The bargain buy traps air between its thin layer and the window glass, preventing condensation and keeping out any cold draughts.
It has received hundreds of positive ratings online, with one user writing: ”Easy to fit and effective.”
Walls are another place where condensation can expect to be found, with damp walls and peeling wallpaper indicating the presence of unwanted liquid.