Condensation and Mould The Relationship Between Them

Every homeowner is worried once they notice a patch of black mould growing on their walls or ceilings. After all, it makes their home look dirty and unkempt, and it can decrease the supply of good air quality. However, most people don’t realise that mould isn’t just a cosmetic problem.

Mould is a fungus that thrives in dark and humid conditions. It can cause several health problems, such as respiratory infections, skin rashes, headaches, and even memory loss. So, what causes mould to grow in your home? The answer is simple: condensation.

The good news is that there is a way to get rid of mould, starting with understanding the relationship between condensation and mould.

The Relationship Between Moisture and Mould
As mentioned above, mould grows in humid conditions. The mould spores need water to grow, so the more moisture in the air, the more likely mould is to develop.

Mould loves to grow in damp places like bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. It can also grow in any room that has poor ventilation. This is because the spores can travel through the air and find their way into these damp areas.

Condensation arises when water vapour in the air turns into liquid water. It can happen on windows, walls, and even on your ceiling. When it does, it creates the perfect environment for mould to grow.

The best way to prevent condensation is to reduce the air’s humidity in your home. A few ways to do this include opening windows and doors when you can and adopting a dehumidifier in your home.

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Main Reasons Behind Condensation
Various factors play a role in condensation in your home. The main ones include:

Inadequate Ventilation: There will be no air quality improvement in a home with insufficient ventilation. This will lead to the build-up of humidity, which will eventually turn into condensation.

High Humidity Levels: Humidity causes the air to feel warmer than it is. When the relative humidity exceeds 60%, the air is saturated and can no longer hold more water vapour. The excess will be released in the form of condensation.

Temperature: Condensation is more likely to occur in cooler environments. When the temperature outside is lower than the dew point, the air becomes saturated, and the water vapour will be released as condensation.

How to Reduce Condensation
Of course, if you want to prevent mould buildup in your home, you must do everything possible to reduce the amount of condensation. Here are some tips to help you:

Open the windows so the air can distribute.
Keep the heating on so that the air is warm and dry.
Install extractor fans in the areas where condensation is most likely to occur.
Dry your clothes outside.
Ventilate your home regularly.
Dry wet floor surfaces as soon as possible.
Use a dehumidifier.
Clean your windows regularly.

Final Thoughts
It is evident that condensation and mould go hand-in-hand. Condensation is the fundamental cause of mould growth, providing the moisture needed to thrive. Mould can cause various problems, from damaging your belongings to causing health problems. Therefore, preventing condensation and mould growth in your home is important.

Ecostream helps households with air quality improvement through Prana ventilation systems. Our approach ensures the reduction of condensation to prevent mould buildup. Get in touch with us today!

Read more about Ecostream: https://ecostream.org.uk/

Read more d-MVHR: https://ecostream.org.uk/d-mvhr/