DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

We have a major condensation problem in our bedroom, the window gets very condensated and the walls have a black mould type damp on them.

Could someone please confirm whether it is a faulty double glazed unit/seal or something else.

the house is a 1930's semi detached and our bedroom is on the outside wall (front window and sidewall).

Thanks in advance.

IF THERE IS CONDENSATION FORMING IN THE SPACE BETWEEN THE TWO LAYERS OF GLASS, THEN THE UNIT/S HAS/HAVE FAILED.

IT SEAMS MORE LIKELY THAT YOU REQUIRE MORE VENTILATION AND ADIQUATE HEATING IN AN ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE THE CONDESATION PROBLEM YOU HAVE IN THIS BEDROOM.

READ MY POSTS ( AND OTHERS) ON THIS SUBJECT FOR FURTHER SUGGESTIONS.

REGARDS,

ALDA.

Hi,

Thanks for that.

We don't have central heating in the house which may have to be considered i think.

could this be causing us major problems?

IMPROVING THE HEATING ISSUE WILL GO A LONG WAY TO ELININATING THE CONDENSATION PROBLEM YOU CLEARLY HAVE.

WARM AIR HOLDS A LOT MORE MOISTURE THAN COLD.

IF YOU CAN AFFORD TO HAVE THE CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEM INSTALLED THEN DO SO AND ALSO HAVE YOUR HOME'S INSULLATION AND VENTILATION IMPROVED AT THE SAME TIME.

I DON'T KNOW YOUR SITUATION OR LOCATION BUT IN MY AREA THERE ARE GRANTS (WARMFRONT) AVAILABLE TO IMPROVE THESE THINGS.

I THINK FUNDS COME FROM EU VIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT, SO ASK AT YOUR LOCAL COUNCIL FOR ADVICE/INFORMATION ON WHAT IS LOCALLLY AVAILABLE.

GOOD LUCK IN YOUR SEARCH AND I HOPE YOU ARE ENTITLED TO SOMETHING!!!

REGARDS,

ALDA.

thanks for that, the grants look a great idea.

just to clarify something, sorry if this is a dumb question. If warm air holds more moisture won't that make the damp/mould situation worse?

Thanks,

IF THE MOISTURE IS IN THE AIR THEN IT IS NOT CONDENSING OUT UNTIL THE AIR COOLS AND THAT IS WHY YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH NOT ONLY THE HEATING ISSUE BUT ALSO VENTILATION AND INSULATION.

CAVITY WALL INSULATION HELPS KEEP WALLS WARM ASWELL AS THE HEAT IN YOUR HOME.

GOOD VENTILATION GETS RID OF EXCESS MOIST AIR AND REPLACES WITH DRYER AIR. OPEN WINDOWS AND TRICLE VENTS AND TRY NOT TO PUT MOISTURE IN AIR BY DRYING WASHING OUTSIDE NOT INSIDE OR PUT IN VENTED TUMBLE DRYER, VENT STEAM FROM KITCHEN AND BATHROOM WITH EXTRACTOR FANS OR OPEN WINDOWS.

IF YOU CAN, SLEEP WITH YOUR BEDROOM WIDOW OPEN AND THIS WILL VENTILATE THE ROOM AND THE REST OF THE HOUSE IF THE ROOM DOORS ARE LEFT OPEN (PRIVACY ALLOWING).
IF POSSIBLE (SPACE ALLOWING), LEAVE GOOD AIR GAPS BETWEEN FURNITURE AND WALLS SO THAT FREE AIRFLOW IS ACHIEVED TO THE AREAS OF CONCERN.

AGAIN HEATING, INSULATION AND VENTILLATION, IT IS ALL ABOUT GETTING THE BALANCE OF THESE THREE FACTORS RIGHT FOR YOUR INDIVIDUAL SITUATION.