SASH WINDOW CONDENSATION IS BACK…

The word “condensation” scares many owners of houses and apartments. Condensation not only damages things but also negatively affects the health of all family members. Wooden windows are more susceptible to moisture than plastic ones, so the presence of drops can lead to a decrease in the life of the glass unit.

It is believed that the main cause of condensation is single glazing. But this is not entirely true. Let’s figure out where excess moisture comes from and how to get rid of it.

What causes condensation

Condensation means that warm air is contacting cold glass surface. Another reason is the increased level of humidity in the apartment. The situation is aggravated during the cold season. The windows are closed, the central heating is on, so the circulation of warm air through the house is accelerated, and drops become visible on glass surfaces.

Humidity level increases significantly when you cook, shower, dry your clothes, or simply iron. Naturally, moisture will settle on various surfaces, primarily on windows.

A huge amount of moisture is transported in the apartment by air. The volume can reach 50 litres weekly. Depending on the pressure and temperature of the air, different amounts of moisture will accumulate. Even during breathing, we release a certain amount of water, which also stays in the air.

When the temperature drops, the humidity increases. The air can no longer hold moisture, and it is transferred to cooler surfaces. This leads to the formation of drops, i.e. condensation, which causes irreparable damage to wooden windows. They will require urgent sash window repair Essex.

How to reduce condensation

Chameleon-decorators specialists advise taking a look at a few rules that will help you get rid of the problem of large amounts of condensation in your home. Timely execution of these actions will help you avoid the need to repair wooden windows and other surfaces:

1. Air out your rooms. To get rid of condensation, remember to air regularly. Windows around the house must be opened for 20 minutes (or more) at any time of the year. Due to this, moist air will leave the room, and dry air will enter. The exception is foggy and rainy days, when the moisture level outside is even higher than in your apartment. You can keep windows open while cooking or drying laundry.
2. Use air extractors. These devices help to reduce the level of condensation accumulated during cooking or taking a bath. An exhaust fan will remove the humid air even before the moisture molecules settle on surfaces and harm furniture and glass units. Therefore, when cooking food, don’t forget to turn on the hood — it will remove excessive moisture easily. Also, cover pots and pans with lids to prevent steam from accumulating in the kitchen.
3. Close doors. The door to the bathroom and kitchen must be closed the moment you are there. So the moisture level accumulated in this part of the house will not spread to the rest of the rooms. It is much easier to remove condensation from the kitchen than airing out the entire apartment while waiting for the humidity level to drop.
4. Choose high-quality air dryers. While the device is working, moist air is sucked in, water droplets are retained by the fan, and at the end you get dry and fresh air. Multiple dehumidifiers throughout the house will help reduce moisture levels in each room. When the temperature outside is close to zero, don’t forget to place such a device in the bedroom so that there is no condensation during your night’s rest.
5. Clean windows. If drops start to appear on the glass surface, try to wipe them up as quickly as possible. Keep the glasses clean, wipe them with special cloth that will not leave stains. The less moisture builds up, the less likely you will need to repair wooden windows in Essex.
6. Maintain a constant temperature in your home. This is especially important during the cold season. If you are able to avoid temperature extremes, condensation will be minimized. To do this, it is enough to use a thermostatically controlled heater. Thermostats control the heating in any room and don’t cause excessive temperature rise. It lowers the condensation level.

If one of the rooms is used less often than the others, try to keep its door closed. Open windows for airing, and you will notice no condensation. The rest of the house must be kept at the same temperature. Make sure that the central heating is not switched off. If suddenly the heating paused, try to immediately use additional heating devices.

If you don’t monitor the temperature, and condensation on windows stays for too long, you may need to call sash windows specialists in Essex. Wooden frames quickly deteriorate due to exposure to moisture — the wood swells, after which it becomes problematic to open the windows. In some cases, there even can be a fungus, which is very difficult to get rid of.

Regardless of your problem, you will need the help of professionals. They will keep your glass units intact by completing the necessary restoration works. The specialists can easily repair a damaged section of a wooden frame without replacing the entire sash.