See that pretty, foggy window?
You may not have realized this, but the moisture that appears on your windows when it rains or you breathe on it is actually condensation. This tends to happen in areas that are humid or during winter. While it may seem fun to write on it when it appears on your windows, it could have detrimental effects on your home and your health!
Condensation looks harmless at first but over time, it can develop into a big problem. It doesn’t matter where you live or how old your house or building is, once condensation has started appearing, it will be hard to get them to disappear.
What is Condensation Anyway?
In a nutshell, condensation is the result of warm air hitting cold surfaces. A lot of things can cause condensation in your home. It could be the result of the humidity in your home caused by your heating or even everyday activities like cooking, showering, and drying clothes.
Weather and the seasons also play a part, with condensation happening more often when it’s wintertime, usually due to central heating. I know frosted window panes must look pretty and magical on a snowy day but you need to get rid of that condensation fast!
Limited airflow can also cause condensation, so you need to check on places that are not open to light and airing like inside your wardrobes or behind bedroom furniture. Since these areas aren’t frequented, it is more than likely that condensation is beginning to or has already formed in your home.
What Are The Signs Of Condensation?
Some of the things that you need to watch out for can be easily seen like steaming windows, wet or damp walls, and peeling wallpaper. Others need a more careful inspection like looking for mold growth and tiny black dots appearing on window frames.
Aside from sight, you also need to develop a keen sense of smell and check whether your clothes have started getting a strange, musty smell on them. If they smell funky, then you’d probably have to get your wardrobe checked for condensation!
It’s also important to note which items in your home are more susceptible to mold and mildew. Soft furnishings such as sofas and fabrics like curtains and table cloths need to be checked every now and then for signs of condensation.
Can You Get Sick From Condensation?
In case your home has started to form condensation, it is more likely that you will develop chronic health problems like asthma, allergies, bronchitis, and even pneumonia! If that doesn’t alarm you, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 300 million cases of childhood asthma are actually due to indoor dampness and mold in their homes.
If you or someone in your family shows symptoms or already has one of these diseases, it could be because your home has mold that you haven’t discovered yet. If not treated, these diseases may become worse with continued exposure!
Aesthetic Issues and Property Damage
Leaving condensation untreated can cause longterm damages to your home. Black mold will start to grow on your walls, ceilings, and windows which are not only unappealing, they could also lower your property’s value. No one wants to buy a dingy looking home!
Other damages also include fraying curtains and peeling wallpaper which over time, will cost you more money than it takes to get rid of the mold in your house.
How Can I Prevent Condensation?
Now that you’ve learned about what condensation and its possible effects and damages are, here’s how you can prevent it from developing in your windows…
Condensation is a big problem but hopefully, we’ve equipped you with the knowledge you need to prevent it from evolving into molds in your home. If you’ve inspected your home and discovered that you’re a little late and black molds have already developed in your property, we have also written an article that could prove useful.
Thanks to Senator Windows for providing the infographic in this post.