Even if you are looking forward to winter and the festive season, there are many problems and issues to deal with at this time of year. The weather can cause problems in and outside of a home and if you are a landlord, this is a time where you need to be attentive and aware of the problems that beset property. One of the biggest problems at this time of year is condensation.
Condensation is more likely to occur during the winter months due to the temperature difference between the inside and outside of a property. When the wind is blowing a gale and the rain is battering down hard, there are few nicer feelings than turning up the heating and feeling cosy inside the house. However, this scenario with the inside of the home being warm and the exterior of the property being cold is a big cause of condensation.
Warm air holds a higher degree of moisture than cold air and of course, at one point the warm air of your home will meet with the cold air. The coldest areas of your room are likely to be external walls, ceilings on upper floors and of course, windows. When warm air and cold air collide, the added moisture of the warm air has to go somewhere and this is how condensation forms.
Dampness damages health and properties
Condensation is a form of damp, and dampness can cause health problems while also damaging the appearance and condition of your home. This is why it is best to deal with dampness as effectively as possible and this means landlords needs to be proactive when it comes to dealing with condensation.
A big step to reducing condensation comes with minimising the moisture in your home and if possible, you should look to reduce steam levels around the home, Tips to consider include:
- Ensuring saucepan lids stay on when cooking
- Ensure tumble dryers are properly vented and link outside
- Keep glazing and bathroom fittings wiped down
- When showering or taking a bath, keep the bathroom door closed to prevent steam spreading around the home
- When cooking, keep the kitchen door closed to prevent steam spreading around the home
It is also a good tip to have all of the rooms in the house heated to a general level as opposed to having one or some rooms warmed to a high temperature and other rooms not heated at all. The disparity in heat between rooms can cause condensation so try and avoid this if at all possible. It is also a good idea to increase ventilation around the home.
At this time of year, landlords should be on the lookout for mould forming and they should also tell their tenants to be on the lookout for mould. Even if your tenants don’t inform you of matters around the property that often, it is best to encourage them to do so in this situation. The sooner mould is spotted and then removed, the better for the property and its inhabitants, so this is a situation where a tenant and landlord should be operating together as opposed to being adversaries.
There is a lot to enjoy at winter so don’t let dampness, condensation or mould ruin your property.
For all your property needs, please contact Spencer Harvey Estate and Letting Agents on:
0161 480 8888