Serious condensation

[VixenAndCub]

So I've got an ongoing issue with condensation in every single window.

I live in a council house and lately they've been doing a huge project in my area adding insulation and improving the roof. Ever since, the windows have been drenched every morning, made worse by this cold snap.

I do the obvious; leave the vents open, keep the extractor fans on, crack open a window when it's warm enough I open a window and dry clothes outside as much as I can (but the weather turning makes that difficult) - but no change.

I spoke to the council and they basically said it's my fault and I need dehumidifier in every single room and stop putting heating on so much (keep in mind I have a 6 month old and I would rather wrap us up first before just putting the heating on).

Anyone got any actual GOOD advice? Tired of going around drying the windows every morning sometimes 3 times a day... Already getting mould in my bedroom despite my attempts.

Is it single glazing or double? The windows are the coldest place and that's why moisture is condensing on them.

A dehumidifier will definitely help. Do you have a bathroom extractor fan that you use during and after baths and showers? Kitchen extractor? Where and how do you dry washing?

The reason for asking is that if you can reduce the things that cause excess moisture in air, that will reduce the condensation. If you dry washing indoors, switch to putting it on an airer over the bath with the extractor on and the door closed. It will greatly reduce the moisture in the air and speed up drying without costing much.

A window vac might help. I bought a karcher one from Amazon and we use it on the windows first thing in the morning. It has helped to reduce condensation.

@wowfudge
Double glazing in every window.

I have extractors in both the kitchen and bathroom and I use them for every bath/shower and cooking.
I've been trying to find a decent place for the washing that won't increase problems. Best place I found at the moment is in my living room (right by the door/radiator and the door is never closed for circulation - and the dog to roam around). The window it's next to has the less condensation. I stick them on a clothing horse outside, and if I can get away with it I'll hang them out properly. But it's non stop rain and chill right now.
I'll try the bathroom trick. I have extractors but I feel they're not very good since I rarely hear them activate even with a lot of steam. I'll try and get the council to look at them. Thanks for the tip!

@applesandpears33
I'll look out for one! Bound to be cheaper than 6 dehumidifiers in every room in the house 😆

I have come to the conclusion that it's not us, it's the house. I de-moulded windows for years in previous houses but since we moved to a newer house (80s build so not "new" new) the problem has practically vanished. Not that that's any use to you now.

I think the window vac idea is utter genius.

Also do check walls behind wardrobes and chests of drawers, especially on external walls, just to be sure you haven't got a mini mould factory lurking.

Second the window vac, we had single glazing that was just dripping for months at a time, and the window vac made it a lot easier than towels etc...
We bought a dehumidifier, which helped, and then saved up to buy a tumble drier, which made a huge difference. Also, if you double spin your washing, it really helps get rid of a lot more moisture (so wash as normal, then do a spin cycle at the end).
What type of heater do you use? Our next door neighbours used an heater that actually produced more moisture while it was on, so made the problem 10 times worse.
If you do get an electric dehumidifier, then you could run it for a few days in one room, then swap it to a different room ever so often, instead of buying one for each room.

A window vac doesn't deal with the cause though. Not drying washing indoors, etc and using a dehumidifier will do. There are also systems which can be installed in a house or flat which deal with excess moisture in the air. Damp air creates a perfect breeding ground for dust mites and they can exacerbate allergies.

Times10 warm air holds more moisture than cold air so it will likely have been down to having a heater on, not the specific heater.

the council say to heat less? I presume you mean heat more. Dehumidifier in every room? It would be a really shit property if that were needed.

drying clothes indoors is like chucking pints of water at the walls. Obviously with a kid you generate lots of washing but there's no getting round the physics. As you mention cold snap I presume you are a fair bit north, (done loads of drying outside today in the Midlands). Hate to say it but if there's no windy outside area you'll need a condensing tumble dryer. Cost £150 or less, don't bother with the expensive super-energy saving ones unless you really will use it loads. You can do the sums with your unit rate.

get them to look at the extractors - hopefully it is a proper kitchen extractor not a recirculating hood. (I got one last year, what a difference!) Obviously lids on pans too. Showers of five mins or less are all that is needed and shouldn't generate too much steam.

The window vac really does work, I'm in an old house and it really helps. (and it is strangely fun...) As always, you can get it cheaper if you don't use Amazon, best deal at the moment seems to be Currys.

Hi, I've had this really badly but I'm on top of the problem now. This is what I've done. Get condensation traps for the bad spots, open the windows just a bit all the time. Don't leave wet clothes about get a condenser tumble dryer as already mentioned and open the windows just a bit when its on.
When the windows are closed run a dehumidifier until theres no more water being taken out of the air.I got one of Ebay and its been amazing.

I find opening a window wide but briefly after cooking or showering really helps. Open the window as you leave the room and keep the door shut. Only needs about 20 minutes.
In the other rooms were you can't do this due to the temperature dropping, use the Karcher.

Finally I keep the laundry to one room and either have the humidifier on or the window wide open.

If you dry washing inside keep it one room with the door closed and a dehumidifier running. It’s a total game changer (and as a bonus the washing dries way more quickly!).