News

Damp and condensation

March 2011

In the autumn 2010 issue of HFI News we asked residents experiencing condensation and mould problems to work with us to beat the issue in their home. Seven residents joined the group.

On 8 December the group got together to look at the science and solutions to the problem of condensation and mould. These solutions include shutting doors (e.g. kitchen or bathroom), ventilating to remove moist air when necessary and keeping all rooms warm (19 to 21 degrees).

We gave each volunteer a thermo-hygrometer, a gadget which reads the level of humidity and temperature in the room and explained that a high humidity reading (greater than 65-70%) means you need to prevent the moisture moving through the dwelling and to open a window or switch on an extractor fan if you have one. (See below for your chance to get a free thermo-hygrometer)

We also showed how moist air (produced when you cook, bathe or dry washing indoors) will migrate or travel through the dwelling and condense on any cold surfaces. If left unchecked black mould can then develop. This must be cleaned and treated as soon as it appears with an anti-fungicidal or bleach solution.

    

• Warm moist air will migrate to cold dry rooms.
• This is because of the difference in vapour pressure.
• Warm moist air has a much higher vapour pressure than dry cold air.
• The water vapour from the kitchen or bathroom will condense in the cooler bedroom.

An officer from Islington brought along some products that can help you to conserve heat.

• Radiator panels help to reflect heat back into your room
• Thermal curtain linings

Our volunteers were offered a visit from the Council’s Energy Doctor for advice on using their heating, gas and electric bills and to fit small improvements like draught excluders and radiator panels.

Each volunteer was allocated a surveyor and their properties visited at least once to identify and repair any leaks. These included:

• A small leak under a hot water cylinder which went on to spread under the bath. Not visible until the bath panel was removed.
• A defective extractor fan in an internal bathroom.
• Defective guttering.

Our surveyors discussed the importance of heating and ventilation and explained how cold spots are created if you push heavy furniture, trunks and boxes against cold external walls or cover radiators. This will eventually lead to mould growth.

We understand that residents are worried about using their heating more than a few hours a day but if you keep your heating on longer to provide background heating throughout, you will heat up the structure and your boiler will not need to work so hard to maintain a steady temperature.

Two of our volunteers are receiving a preferential tariff from their energy supplier. If you find you are spending 10% or more of your income on your energy bills contact your supplier.

One volunteer told us “the visit was very informative and has helped me to eliminate condensation from my flat.”

We have had some early successes tackling condensation and will continue to work with our volunteers into spring. If you are an HFI tenant and have condensation and mould problems follow our advice and guidance. We have 20 Thermo-hygrometers to give away to the first twenty callers.

For more information about condensation please go to our website or contact Vicki Bates in the Service Development Team on 020 7527 4123 or by email vicki.bates@homesforislington.org.uk