condensation proberlems

Joined
10 Jan 2009
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Location
Gloucestershire
Country
United Kingdom
hi guys n girls

have been notified by my tenents that ther was a leek on the windows, got a mate whos a glazer in to take a look for me he rekons theres no leeks on them and reckons it a condensation proberlem.

after a bit off looking iv got no vents on the windows and have no air vents or bricks in the walls is this the proberlem ??

the house is a 1970ish end terrace 3bedroom

thanks in advance
 
Sponsored Links
The questions to ask are, did it happen during the summer?
Does it happen during the day or only during the night?

Condensation usually happens at night, when the heating is turned down or turned off, or after the blinds or curtains have been closed.
The problem is caused by a drop in temperature, cold air cannot hold the same amount of moisture as warm air.
During the day, warm air is moving past the window, helping to keep the surface warm, when the warm air stops, the air next to the window chills and the water vapour in the air drops out.
 
Condensation can be tricky to cure - are the tenants drying wet clothes on the rads? is there an exstractor fan in the bathroom and kitchen?
Double glazing can make a big diffrence.

Failing any of that ask the tenants if they have considered taking up part time window licking :eek:
 
Sponsored Links
The questions to ask are, did it happen during the summer?
Does it happen during the day or only during the night?

Condensation usually happens at night, when the heating is turned down or turned off, or after the blinds or curtains have been closed.
The problem is caused by a drop in temperature, cold air cannot hold the same amount of moisture as warm air.
During the day, warm air is moving past the window, helping to keep the surface warm, when the warm air stops, the air next to the window chills and the water vapour in the air drops out.

We own various 19th century terrace properties and experience the opposite.

Condensation on windows is much much worse when central heating is on and the house is warm. When we have empty properties (read: no heating inside) there's no condensation issues to deal with.

So I disagree with your summary. Where single glazing is concerned if it's very cold outside, the windows are always going to be cold and as soon as all that moisture laden warm air hits the very cold glass it condenses.

To the OP, surely you'd know if it's a leak as if it was it'd only happen when it rains?
 
Condensation is all about temperature and surface dew points, and if occupied, heating patterns

Typically night time is the time for condensation, but equally first thing in the morning. But times are not exclusive

Also, just because you can't see it on the windows does not mean that condensation has not formed on some other surface. The moisture is there, and it does condense throughout the day
 
Condensation is also about R/H and the amount of moisture produced in the house. When the house is empty there is much less moisture being produced. The walls are also colder and so condensation is more likely to occur on the walls.
When the house is occupied there is more moisture being produced and so even though the house is heated condensation will occur on the single glazing. If the temperature was lower even more condensation would occur in other areas.
Condensation isn't a problem on single glazing. All you need is a wife with a J cloth. It acts as a dehumidifier.
 
Strictly, you can have as much moisture in the air as you like, but the reason it condenses is related to temperature and surface dew points ;)

There are many posts on here about condensation in [unoccupied] garages, so occupation is not an issue in the formation of condensation ..... but condensation can be an issue in occupation!
 
markwm, you are quite right!

Warm air holds more water vapour than cold!
Air at 30 C holds 30 ml of water per cubic metre.
Air at zero C holds 5 ml of water per cubic metre.

When warm humid air meets a cold surface, the air temperature drops and the water vapour turns into condensation.

However, during the day the circulating warm air indoors and the warmer daytime temperatures outside, usually manage to keep windows dry.

At night, in many cases people are at home, temperatures drop outside making the window surface colder and people tend to close the blinds, creating a cold area in front of the windows, and they are encouraged to turn off their heating overnight to save money. These issues plus the fact that people are at home adding water vapour to the air equal more condensation.

You point is perfectly correct, no people equal no water vapour input from breathing, sweating, washing etc.
No heating equals no raised water vapour level to condense on temperature drop and perhaps most important, cold walls and interior mean that any water vapour is spoilt for choice regarding where it may settle.
And of course the indoor air, window and wall temperatures will tend to be the same.
 
markwm, you are quite right!

Warm air holds more water vapour than cold!
Air at 30 C holds 30 ml of water per cubic metre.
Air at zero C holds 5 ml of water per cubic metre.

When warm humid air meets a cold surface, the air temperature drops and the water vapour turns into condensation.

However, during the day the circulating warm air indoors and the warmer daytime temperatures outside, usually manage to keep windows dry.

At night, in many cases people are at home, temperatures drop outside making the window surface colder and people tend to close the blinds, creating a cold area in front of the windows, and they are encouraged to turn off their heating overnight to save money. These issues plus the fact that people are at home adding water vapour to the air equal more condensation.

You point is perfectly correct, no people equal no water vapour input from breathing, sweating, washing etc.
No heating equals no raised water vapour level to condense on temperature drop and perhaps most important, cold walls and interior mean that any water vapour is spoilt for choice regarding where it may settle.
And of course the indoor air, window and wall temperatures will tend to be the same.

so the upshot is...


stop breathing. :eek: :LOL:
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Sponsored Links
Back
Top