How to stop condensation on windows and walls

What is condensation?

Condensation is moisture that can form on the inside of your windows or even your walls. If you’ve ever breathed on a window to mist it, that’s condensation. Water condenses from gas to liquid based on temperature. When warm, moist air meets a cold surface, that’s when condensation occurs.  

What causes condensation on windows and walls?

Condensation is more noticeable when it’s colder outside, and it’s common to spot it the morning after a chilly night. There a lot of things that can cause condensation on windows and walls, including:

• Cooking releasing steam in the kitchen
• Steam from showering in the bathroom
• Boiling a kettle
• Drying clothes
• High humidity levels or fluctuating temperatures 
• Breathing – we exhale small amounts of water vapour with every breath
• Houseplants release moisture through their leaves

How to get rid of condensation at home 

Condensation can be problematic. It can damage windowsills if left to pool, but it can also lead to bigger problems like mould and damp.

Learn how to stop condensation on the windows and walls of your home with these tips:

Remove condensation in the morning

Condensation is a common problem on cold nights, and you may find it over your windows in the morning. If you don’t remove condensation, it can reevaporate into the air to reappear again the next night. To stop this, use a cloth or squeegee to collect the water and dispose of it down the drain.

Open windows or use extractors when cooking or washing

In winter, we want nothing more than to turn our homes into a cosy den. But if you’re cooking or washing, this can increase humidity in your home. Try to leave your washing in a room with a window ajar and use your extractor when cooking.

Turn up the central heating

Did you know warm air can retain more moisture? That’s why warm air is used to dry clothes. It also means slightly raising your thermostat or using a heater could help to prevent condensation. If you’re not scared of the energy bill, at least.

Use a dehumidifier  

To reduce the condensation, you could use a dehumidifier in the rooms most affected. Turn on your dehumidifier when your washing is hanging, and you might find it dries much faster. There are both reusable electronic dehumidifiers and single-use dehumidifiers which can draw out moisture.

Cover cooking pans with lids

To prevent steam from escaping into the air and causing condensation, you can cover your cooking pans with lids. This traps the steam and makes the air less humid. It will also make cooking more energy efficient. 

Use a tumble drier

Instead of hanging clothes, you can tumble dry your clothes to dry them. Just note that the tumble drier will need a vent leading outside, as otherwise the moisture will escape into the house and this won’t solve the condensation problem. 

Consider home modifications

There are a range of home improvements you can make that have the added benefit of tackling condensation on windows and walls long term.

For example, you could consider:

• Double/triple glazing. Double or triple glazing can reduce condensation on your windows, as it will keep the inner glass warmer than single glazing, reducing the likelihood of condensation.
• Improving insulation. Insulation creates a barrier, retaining warmth in your home. While better insulation won’t eliminate condensation on your windows, it can help to reduce it on walls.
• PIV units. A PIV (or Positive Input Ventilation) unit is a ventilation device designed to boost air quality and remove condensation. These units draw in air from outside, filter it, then circulate it throughout your property, improving ventilation so moist air inside is pushed outside. 
• Extractor fans. Extractor fans are essential for combating condensation and are great to have in wet areas of your house, like the kitchen or the bathroom. Whether showering or cooking, removing that humid air can prevent the build-up of condensation on your walls and windows.
• Air vents. Like extractor fans, air vents can remove any moist air from a room. If you’ve got a laundry room, an air vent could help clothes dry and reduce condensation.
• Air bricks. Air bricks are essentially a form of vent – they’re just bricks with holes in them, letting air pass through. That means fresh air comes in, damp air goes out, and the risk of condensation is lessened. 

Check your home for unfound leaks 

Doing all those things and it’s still not enough? Been away for the weekend, but still finding condensation everywhere? Try to look for slow leaks in your roof, pipes, radiators or appliances that could be releasing moisture into your home.

Check for rising damp

Rising damp is when too much moisture rises from the ground and into your home, usually through tiny holes in the bricks of the walls. Often, you can observe marks around your skirting boards, patches up the wall, bubbling plaster or peeling wallpaper. In extreme cases, you may notice rotting flooring or skirting boards and strong smell of damp.

Condensation is a leading cause of damp in our homes, and it’s also a form of damp itself.