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Preserve Your Property, Increase Its Value & Ensure It Remains Safe & Enjoyable For Years To Come

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Condensation Control Specialists

The way we are living in our homes is changing. Condensation is particularly common in homes that are affected by this change. Poorly heated and poorly insulated homes can cause condensation to arise, affecting the quality of airflow through our homes. Condensation is a real problem that requires a specialist surveyor to explore the cause of the problem and provide advice or propose solutions. We will ensure that your home is safe and that your property keeps up with modern living times.

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What is Condensation?

 

The most common form of unwanted dampness in buildings is water from the air that forms as condensation.

Condensation is often associated with poor heating and ventilation in buildings. It is more apparent in winter, as the external air temperature is low and external walls and windows are cold. The usual sequence of events is as follows:

  • Cold air enters the building
  • The air is warmed for the comfort of the occupants
  • The warm air takes up moisture
  • The warm, moist air comes into contact with cold surfaces, walls, windows, etc. and is cooled below its Dew Point
  • Condensation occurs as the excess moisture is released

Walls in kitchens and bathrooms (where atmospheric moisture levels are usually highest), solid external walls, uninsulated solid floors and cold bridges such as concrete lintels set in cavity walls are commonly the areas in which condensation takes place.

Intermittent heating and cooling of the property can aggravate condensation problems, since it allows warm damp air to cool, reducing its capacity to hold water. Dew points are reduced allowing condensation to occur. When the air is reheated water is taken back into the air only to be deposited again when the air temperature drops again.

Problems caused by Condensation

 

Running water on windows or walls is perhaps the most immediate indication of a condensation problem. If ignored this can lead to a deterioration in the decorative condition of your property, stained curtains and decay in window frames. The appearance of moulds on the surface of wallpapers and paints in poorly ventilated areas. Condensation can occur under suspended floors greatly increasing the chances of fungal decay in floor timbers.

A much less common form of condensation occurs when the Dew Point is reached, not on the surface of a wall but within the structure of the building itself. This is known as interstitial condensation and can easily be mistaken for rising damp or penetrating damp.

Condensation Control – Overcoming Condensation

Condensation is a real problem and where it persists, a specialist surveyor should be engaged to explore the cause of the problem and provide advice or propose condensation control solutions. We explore a few of the possible methods of condensation control below.

Simply heating the air is unlikely to be a satisfactory solution, not only on grounds of cost but also on practicality. Unless cold surfaces are eliminated and there is sufficient background ventilation, condensation is almost inevitable. Any remedial action, therefore, must involve lowering moisture levels, ensuring sufficient ventilation and the elimination of cold surfaces.

Arguably one of the first action points is to raise the internal temperature of the affected rooms. This can be done using an innovative product called Isotherm. Isotherm is a very thin specialised fabric that can be applied to the interior walls to raise the surface temperature. This has the effect of reducing the risk of condensation forming, and since it also raises the ambient temperature of the room, can reduce heating costs too.

Improved heating and ventilation coupled with a specific action in relation to cold spots will usually result in a significant improvement in conditions, although there may be circumstances in which alternative methods are required. A modest but constant background heat is preferable to intermittent heating since this will help to maintain a higher ambient temperature in the fabric of the building.

The installation of suitable extractor fans in the moisture-producing rooms of a property such as a kitchen, bathroom and en-suites, will help remove the majority of this moisture-laden air from these areas (that are most responsible for condensation), with minimal running costs. This is a requirement within the Building Regulations for new properties being built, whilst also applying to existing buildings.

House Window With Damp And Condensation - condensation control

Black mould and fungus on wall near window. The problem of ventilation, dampness, cold in the apartment - condensation control

There are many types of extractor fans available such as those that run continuously in the background or those which incorporate a humidistat that will control the operation of the fan within certain humidity limits. It is also possible to install fans that have an integrated heat exchanger and these have the advantage of providing effective ventilation while reducing heat loss from the property. It is very important that these types of fans are professionally specified and commissioned by a suitably trained and qualified specialist.

Where an open fire or fixed gas fire exists, a certain amount of “natural” ventilation will occur and where additional ventilation is provided it is important that this is not blocked off.

The use of specialist insulation materials fixed to the outside of the building and insulation in cavity walls will help to improve the thermal dynamics of the building and may help overcome condensation.

An alternative to heating and ventilation for the control of moisture in the air is a dehumidifier. This is a device that draws in air, cools it to remove moisture which is collected in a reservoir and reheats it to an acceptable temperature before re-circulating it—these can be costly to run, however, and may not be considered a long-term solution.

Another condensation control device that may be considered is a positive pressure condensation control unit, also known as Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) units. These take drier air from roof spaces or lofts and mix this with air in the dwelling. This is done at a very low rate (below half an air change per hour) and has the effect of lowering total moisture content and removing moist air by natural leakage.

How it Works

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Have Your Survey Carried Out
One of our trusted and qualified remedial Surveyors will carry out a detailed survey of the property
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Get the treatment done
We'll take care of business and ensure you and your family can live a happy life knowing your property is safe
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Condensation Control FAQs

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Reviews

Excellent
Based on 24 reviews
Suzanne Gaynor
Suzanne Gaynor
2023-11-15
Excellent job. Really professional guys who left the place very clean.
John Barker
John Barker
2023-09-22
Excellent service carried out by skilled craftsmen in the timescale stated. Very good communication throughout and left the property spotless when finished. Cannot recommend the company highly enough
Catriona Hauer
Catriona Hauer
2023-09-13
Property Conservation were so helpful and quick. The work team were all helpful, very tidy, and considerate. When things didn’t go quite to plan they were also very good at putting things right. Would definitely recommend them
Tim Mills
Tim Mills
2023-09-09
The company did a fantastic job. All of those involved were extremely helpful and friendly and put a lot of effort into clearing up once they were done. We are very pleased with the result and would recommend them.
Janet Wilson
Janet Wilson
2023-08-25
Fiona Dixon
Fiona Dixon
2023-06-06
The Property Conservation Services team are friendly and efficient and made everything straightforward. I'd have no hesitation in recommending them.
Alan Watroba
Alan Watroba
2023-04-29
Chris Jones
Chris Jones
2023-04-20
Nice job, well executed. Thanks so much. I would highly recommend Properly Conservation Services!
Sam Gilkes
Sam Gilkes
2023-03-14
Very impressed with the service and product from Property Conservation team. The work was completed to a high standard and slightly ahead of schedule and they were adaptable to our personal circumstances also. Thank you.
Alice Huntingford
Alice Huntingford
2023-01-30
Property Conservation carried out damp proofing works to my property in January 2023. John was great to work with and arrived on time each day. Took great care in my property and carried out a proper job very efficiently. I have no hesitation in recommending the company for this type of work.
Why choose Property Conservation Services
Experience
Over 150 YearsOf Combined Property Conservation Experience
Property Conservation Services has over 150 years of experience within the Team. There isn’t much we have not seen, worked on & treated over the years using both traditional & pioneering methods. Whether it's dealing with Woodworm, damp proofing properties or helping homebuyer's with pre-purchase inspections Property Conservation Services has an abundance of experience.
Trust
You can be assured our experienced Surveyors will take the time to understand & address your concerns—giving you all the information you need to make an informed decision. From assessing the roof timbers at the very top of your property to the basement waterproofing at the very bottom, our detailed surveys leave no stone unturned. With over 1000+ happy customers, both domestic & site (commercial), we must be doing something right!
Our Promise
We pride ourselves on honesty and trust, and we promise to provide exceptional quality in all aspects of what we do from the surveys that are conducted, to the work that is carried out no matter how big or small the job is. As well as providing great value for money, all of our work is guaranteed.
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