Tips for your home this winter

17th November 2022

Often, condensation is nothing to be concerned about, but if you're buying a property, it should be investigated thoroughly to ensure it won't cause a bigger problem in the future. Most of us would have experienced condensation in our homes at some stage, especially in the cold winter months that we are in.

Condensation may be considered an issue if it occurs consistently and regularly. The long-term effects of constant condensation can lead to the production of mould. Pinpoint black spots are a typical sign of mould, which can usually be found on the inside surfaces of external walls and areas that lack ventilation.

Most of the time, mould and condensation are more of an inconvenience and aesthetically unpleasing, but if it is left untreated, it can cause several problems. According to advice from the NHS, mould exposure means you are more likely to develop infections, respiratory problems, allergies, or asthma.

In recent tragic news, a young boy sadly lost his life due to health problems caused from mould exposure. We are deeply saddened and want to raise awareness on this matter as it is hugely important.

When we carry out a survey inspection, we use a Damp meter. This has probes that they push into walls to test for damp and for more serious rising or penetrating damp. The moisture meter will display the reading through the digital LCD display. The surveyor will report on the findings and advise accordingly detailing where this was found and their opinion on how it has occurred and any remedy they recommend.

Windows are normally the main source of condensation, followed by mould/condensation in bathrooms and kitchens. Condensation occurs on any cold surface that records a temperature below the dew point (the temperature at which saturated air releases surplus moisture vapour). When cooking, this can be seen on a mirror in a bathroom or a window in a kitchen.

For more information, please visit: Chartered Surveyors in Essex - Chartered Surveyors in Essex - Chekes or you can call 0800 023 2424 (Freephone)