How does condensation occur?

Condensation occurs when warm and moist air hits a cold surface. The colder the air is, the less moisture it can hold. Therefore when warm air hits a cold surface it will release some of the moisture which deposits itself as beads of condensation.

This build up of moisture can cause streaming windows and damage to plaster and timber. It also provides the ideal conditions for black and green mould growth accompanied by a damp and musty smell. These conditions are commonly found in areas where condensation is rife, such as bathrooms and kitchens.

Treating condensation

To reduce condensation and subsequent mould growth, the amount of moist air present needs to be reduced. Attempts can be made to do this by opening windows, running dehumidifiers or increasing the heating in the property. These methods are often not favoured by occupants, however, for comfort or energy-usage reasons.

Vericure Range

Ascot Damp Proofing’s solution to treat condensation is to install Positive Pressure Units from the Vericure range of Condensation Control Units. These units produce fresh filtered air which replaces the warm, moist air from inside the building, but have the ability to retain the heat from the outgoing air and transfer it to the fresh, dry air as it is drawn in. By creating a slight positive pressure the moisture laden air is expelled out through leakage points in the property therefore eliminating the sudden build up of moisture and so eliminating the changes of condensation occurring. Studies have shown that this method will also typically reduce total energy consumption by approximately 10%, not only because the already heated air is not being wasted, but because drier air is cheaper to heat than moist air.

Ascot Damp Proofing install and maintain a complete range of Vericure units. The range includes Positive pressure condensation & air quality control units and enhancement fans. The range ensures there is a solution suitable for all different property types; houses, flats, basements and bungalows for residential and commercial premises. These units use very little electricity (approximately 5 per year), which is much cheaper than the running costs of a dehumidifier, they operate continuously with minimum noise to disturb occupants and provide health benefits by breathing fresh filtered air 24 hours a day. So successful are these units that we offer also offer a 60-day money back guarantee should condensation not be cured.

Further information about the full Vericure range can be found by clicking here.

Condensation Survey

A condensation survey is recommended to ensure all relevant factors are taken into consideration before deciding on the best course of action to resolve a condensation problem. This will confirm humidity and moisture levels within a property to understand if they are conistent with that of condensation and to check if a unit is suitable for the property and if so, where it should be located