Help and suggestions to avoid condensation in a rented room or flat

With the cold, we look for ways to stay as comfortable as possible using heating. As a result, heating remains on for hours. We use it for hot showers, we are afraid of opening windows… and, in the end, the horrible condensation appears and you need help.

Condensation occurs when water vapor converts into a liquid and cools; the main reason we are more exposed to it in the winter. Beyond looking bad, condensation can lead to humidity problems that are not only bad for your home but bad for health as well. Keep reading and you will find how to fix condensation in a room.

Where does it come from? Well, it can appear due to things as routine as cooking, showering, heating, drying, clothes or ironing, as well as the lack of ventilation or possible water leaks inside the walls. These issues are usually not covered by insurance. Therefore, it is important to avoid letting condensation appear.

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What can I do to avoid it? Where can I look for help?

As in other cases, we have resorted to the opinion and help of experts.

In this case we have spoken with Manuel Pradillo, architect and technical director of P76 Constructions and this is what he has told us:

Ventilate: opening the windows for about 10 minutes every day is the easiest and cheapest measure (you can do this any of the times when you have to go out to do it). If there is a window in the kitchen or bathroom, open them after use. It is very important that all accumulated water vapor is released.

Insulating materials: Glass is not an insulator so windows are the first to experience condensation. If you were planning to change the windows, it is advisable to install windows with double or triple glazing, since they not only improve thermal insulation, but also sound insulation. A real 2 for 1.

Breathable paints: In contrast to waterproof paint, breathable paint lets water vapor escape instead of trapping it inside the wall and isolating the moisture.

Anti-Humidity Boxes: They are usually quite small so you can place them in places where you won't even see them. They have granulated salt that helps reduce humidity by 50% and, in addition, there are usually free refills; so you won't have to buy a new box every time one wears out.

Some of these options might not be available to you as a tenant. In this case, we can give you some other tips and tricks:

Most of the condensation occurs in the bathroom and especially with showers, so by some quick math, shorter, not-so-hot showers equate to less condensation.

Avoid drying clothes inside the house, it causes humidity to increase by around 30% and increases the appearance of fungi and mold. Close doors and open windows: If a room has condensation, it is advisable that we open the window of that room but keep the door closed, so that the condensation does not pass to the rest of the rooms. Also, if we are in winter and with the heating on, by not opening the doors we will prevent the rest of the rooms from getting cold.

Lower heating, so that the difference in inside and outside temperature is not so high. The recommendation is that we have the heating between 19 and 21°C.

In the case of removing mold, it can be removed with bleach or even detergent, if we do not have special products to remove it. Condensation is a problem that repeats year after year. I hope that this post will help you to know how to solve condensation at home or in the rooms and avoid problems with the return of the deposit.