Condensation…Not So Pretty

During the winter season, condensation occurs when warm moist indoor air is cooled down below the dew point temperature as it comes in contact with a cold surface such as the exterior walls or windows.  Cold surfaces usually are the result of air leakage, inadequate insulation of walls and windows, or in rooms where less interior heat is provided in the winter.  Condensation will continue to form on these surfaces that are below the indoor dew point temperature until sufficient moisture is removed from the air (i.e. lowering of humidity) or the building surface(s) is heated above the dew point temperature.     The following general recommendations are simple cost-effective steps that you can perform that could have a noticeable impact to address condensation problems.

1.   Properly maintain and operate the spot ventilation systems to exhaust moisture from the kitchen and bathrooms.

2. Verify that the dryer duct connections are air-tight and discharge the dryer air to the outside, not in the unit.  Repair/replace the dryer duct where defective.

3.  Inspect all windows to locate any areas of possible air infiltration including deteriorated weather stripping, cracked or otherwise defective perimeter sealant, etc. Repair and/or replace where encountered.

4. Replace existing single-pane windows with new more thermal resistance window assemblies.

5.  Use portable dehumidifiers within the unit(s) to lower the relative humidity to within acceptable limits by removing moisture from the indoor air.