CONDENSATION

[Hulablush]

As our new home is old and has nice old wooden windows with no vents, we get a lot of condensation in the mornings.

It tends to drip down into a big puddle on the windowsills.

Does anyone have any little tips to help prevent the puddles??

Someone said to me to put a bowl of water on windowsill to help prevent condensation. :blink: Is this correct?

Or is a big dehumidifier the answer???

Thanks.

[StoneHenge]

We use moisture traps on the boat as we also get condensation on cold mornings, and it has helped.

You can buy them in most leisure shops, Wilkos etc.

Sure others will have other tips though. That's just what we tend to use.

[Crazy Dog]

Putting bowls of water out to evaporate can only make the problem worse.

There are two keys to solving condensation problems:

1) Identify the source. Lots of people taking showers but no extractor fan in the bathroom? One house we lived in had a stream running underneath it.

2) Ventilation - lots of it. Over the years we've made houses more and more draught-proof. As a result we've taken away the places that damp air can escape!

Also, if the windows are single glazed you will have a condensation problem. Ask about insulation grants to see if you can have the windows upgraded. Failing that put shrink-wrap type secondary glazing on the inside, leaving a gap between the glass and the plastic sheet.

[Eeyore]

When we had single glazing, we had lots of condensation, we got good quality double glazing and it helped a lot :)

Also often cavity wall insulation and loft insulation can sort out a lot of cold and damp problems, many areas do grants for these so it may be worth checking with your local council :D

[Hulablush]

Thanks folks.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(StoneHenge @ 3rd October 2006 - 1:52 PM) 201832</div>
We use moisture traps on the boat as we also get condensation on cold mornings, and it has helped.
You can buy them in most leisure shops, Wilkos etc.
[/b]

I've never heard of those! I will have a look out.... any particular shape??

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Crazy Dog @ 3rd October 2006 - 2:18 PM) 201836</div>
Putting bowls of water out to evaporate can only make the problem worse.
There are two keys to solving condensation problems:
1) Identify the source. Lots of people taking showers but no extractor fan in the bathroom? One house we lived in had a stream running underneath it.
2) Ventilation - lots of it. Over the years we've made houses more and more draught-proof. As a result we've taken away the places that damp air can escape!
Also, if the windows are single glazed you will have a condensation problem. Ask about insulation grants to see if you can have the windows upgraded. Failing that put shrink-wrap type secondary glazing on the inside, leaving a gap between the glass and the plastic sheet.
[/b]

I should have said this at the beginning..... it's a Part Grade I/rest of it Grade II listed building so we are unable to change the windows.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Eeyore @ 3rd October 2006 - 2:19 PM) 201838</div>
When we had single glazing, we had lots of condensation, we got good quality double glazing and it helped a lot :)
Also often cavity wall insulation and loft insulation can sort out a lot of cold and damp problems, many areas do grants for these so it may be worth checking with your local council :D
[/b]

The previous owners put some seriously thick loft insulation in and the walls are made of old stone.

[Hulablush]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Yi Win @ 3rd October 2006 - 5:10 PM) 201873</div>
Hi Hula,
you can put secondry glazing in on listed buildings. worth looking into.
[/b]

Thanks..... although if you see the rooms and the windows it would be a crime to put secondary glazing up!!! :D

[Crazy Dog]

http://www.secondaryglazing.com/

Might be worth looking at this (and other secondary glazing companies). They do mention listed buildings.

I have no experience of their products - I just found them with Google.

[Peaceseeker]

I have a similar problem, although the house is double glazed, last year I bought a small dehumidifier from Argos (about £30 from memory) problem solved AND the noise of it's fan drowns out the nfh!!

[Hulablush]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Peaceseeker @ 5th October 2006 - 6:56 PM) 202274</div>
I have a similar problem, although the house is double glazed, last year I bought a small dehumidifier from Argos (about £30 from memory) problem solved AND the noise of it's fan drowns out the nfh!!
[/b]

Hello Peaceseeker,

Who would have thought that condensation would have done you a favour in drowning out the NFH! :bigeyes:

[Peaceseeker]

Yeah, pity I can't drown 'em properly *sigh* :rolleyes:

[Hulablush]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Peaceseeker @ 6th October 2006 - 7:06 PM) 202433</div>
Yeah, pity I can't drown 'em properly *sigh* :rolleyes:
[/b]

:lol: :lol: :lol: I know the feeling well!