Condensation Damp can be a major issue in the home. Find answers to questions or post your own here.

[suzanne hughes]

I have a 3-bedroom semi-detacted house built around the 1930's. My house has developed what I think is a bad case of condensation. Throughout the day the new double glazed windows have an inch of condensation on them, mould is growing on the walls and the house smells mouldy. The worst room is my living room. Where under my bay window I have a vent which the condensation drips off and the water soaks in all along the wall. The outside vent which connects to this was recently changed so the outside air has to flow up it rather than the old one which the air flowed straight into causing a lot of draft. Also I recently installed 6 air vents in the roof following a neighbours suggestion, however this has not changed anything. My toilet cistern has condensation running off it even though the window in this room is constantly left open.
A local firm suggested installing The Lofty-Whole Home Ventilation System. But I do not know anyone who has this unit to ask if it does work. I cannot see how a panel in my upstairs ceiling which is connected to the unit in the loft will stop the damp in my downstairs rooms, especially under my living room bay window. Or the other suggestion was buying a 3-Bedroom Humidifier. Again how good are humidifiers? Which one would be the best solution-The Lofty or the Humidifier.
Also any suggestions to stop condensation on the toilet cistern?
Also I have no extractor fan in my kitchen. What type would be the best to take smells and moisture out of the room without losing too much heat?

Any suggestions/help on the above would really be appreciated.

[Perry525]

Suzanne, you really have a problem!
I do not have the time to go into all the ins and outs of the problem and solution at the moment.
Sufficient to say that the problem is shared between you and the designers and mostly the builders.
You need to understand that you and your family are putting the water vapour into the house!
Each of you is adding about 2.5 litres of moisture per day to the inside of the house.
Get on the net and buy a good de-humidifier to-night, one that has a tank and hose pipe to direct the water into the garden or down the sink, one that will collect about ten litres per 24 hours will do.
Switch it on, leave it on all the time, especially at night.
In a week or two the problem will get under control.
Then we can go into things you can do.