In our modern homes, we've plugged the gaps, installed double glazing, and packed our homes with cavity wall insulation to keep us warm, conserve energy and keep them free from draughts

This can create a lack of ventilation within the building which increases the indoor air humidity. The moisture-laden air is warm, and when it encounters colder surfaces it condenses to form liquid water droplets.

Homeowners in Skipton add to the excess humidity through everyday living, from bathing to breathing! On average, a family of four can produce around 100 pints of moisture every week.

Because of the lack of adequate ventilation, this moisture can't find a way out. Instead, it forms condensation on windows, walls, pipes – any surface that is cooler than the air temperature around it. After a while you will start to see visible surface indications, such as patches on walls and ceilings as mould growth starts to get worse.

This might come as a surprise, but there is more than one type of condensation:

• Warm Front Condensation - warm damp air inside a cold house (often derelict).
• Reverse Condensation (also known as Summer Condensation) - when rain soaks an external masonry wall then powerful sunlight dries it quickly, the water vapour is forced into the structure. When it reaches insulated surfaces (especially porous insulation) it starts to form condensation.
• Cold Bridge Condensation - frequently mistaken for rising damp, this is where warm air comes into contact with a surface below its dew point temperature, usually at the base of external walls, on windows or in roof spaces.
• Radiation Condensation - usually occurring when there is a sudden temperature drop at night, causing water to accumulate on the underside of roofing material and insulation.

Through making a few simple lifestyle changes, people can take steps to drastically reduce the amount of air moisture they produce:

• Don't set furniture directly against the wall – leave a small gap to allow the air to circulate.
• When cooking, keep the kitchen window open and close any interior doors – this allows better air ventilation and stops humidity levels from rising in other rooms. Use an extractor fan if possible and keep boiling pans covered.
• Don't dry wet clothes on the radiators – a difficult one for many people, especially during the colder seasons, but damp washing on hot radiators contributes to higher humidity levels.
• Keep showers as short as possible – this will stop steam from spreading. Again, open a window and leave it open for about twenty minutes after you have finished, or use an extractor fan if you have one.
• Use 'cross ventilation' – opening a window on each side of the property will allow air to flow through, keeping the humidity levels down.
• Wipe down any cold surfaces – use an absorbent cloth to wipe down wet walls and hard surfaces. If necessary, a squeegee can be used to remove moisture which can be mopped up with cloths.
• Keep window vents open at all times – Even if you do keep the vent open on your bedroom window, it may not be enough. A lot of warm air is expelled during the night time as we sleep, so it's a good idea to keep the window open a little to reduce the chances of condensation around bedroom walls.
• Check airbricks for blockages – airflow within cavity walls is vital in protecting your property from damp. Use a thin brush to remove any debris and blockages from the airbricks (set in the exterior walls) to allow better ventilation (which helps with interstitial condensation).

All of these methods are good ways of reducing condensation, and they are free!

There are more complex solutions that will cost you money, but these are worth considering if your are seeking a more permanent solution to excess humidity and condensation.

Some people use dehumidifiers, and while they can balance the level of humidity and improve indoor air quality to an extent, they won't fully resolve the issue.

For a more permanent solution to condensation, there are products such as passive ventilation units, which don't cost much and can be fitted easily.

In severe cases you should seek expert help from Damp Hero, with a professional condensation survey. This will determine the cause of the problem (as well as the usual culprits for condensation such as leaking roofs and guttering, or double glazed windows where poorer quality units have been fitted, which can all contribute to the issue) and assess the building structure fully to identify any other risks.

As well as locating the source of moisture they will check the ventilation levels and advise you as to the most effective method to resolve your condensation issue.

This may involve something like heat recovery ventilation systems or positive input ventilation, each of which are highly-effective in providing adequate ventilation and balancing humidity levels, which significantly reduces any likelihood of condensation.

So, don't delay in taking steps to fix your mould problem, as it could damage your health as well as your home Skipton.