Condensation mould upvc windows

For household occupants who already suffer from conditions like asthma, this can be particularly dangerous. Black mould releases spores known as mycotoxins which are like invisible dust and which when breathed in will cause damage to the airways and lungs but can also impact the skin and nervous system.

Babies and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to these invisible and dangerous invaders as well as those with pre-existing respiratory conditions.

Mould loves moisture and condensation is a big problem for many households. Condensation is caused by too much moisture in the home and is created when warm air hits cold glass, particularly during the winter months when rooms are at their warmest and the glass is at its coldest. This is often a problem with old-fashioned windows and, rather ironically, is exacerbated by modern, sealed, draught-free homes which are kept very warm and allow less circulation of air and often have poor ventilation.

Old houses which tend to be cold and less energy efficient with more draughts will promote better air movement and often suffer less with condensation problems around windows. Fortunately, there are several ways to manage condensation if this is the cause of black mould growth around your windows or on the window sills. If you have a lot of house plants then consider cutting down in certain locations as they release moisture into the air.

Increase ventilation and air in your home which will help dry moisture in the atmosphere, this can be done by just opening windows for a small amount of time each day — half an hour is usually enough — or fitting trickle vents at the top of the window.

Bathrooms and kitchens are the rooms most commonly affected with condensation problems but bedrooms can also be quite moisture-laden because of warm air generated by the occupants as they sleep.

A more long-term solution is to upgrade your windows if they are single glazing or old double-glazed units. New glazing products, such as Fineo glass , with only 0. Dehumidifiers reduce or eliminate moisture in the air and can help protect wooden window frames and sills from the impact of condensation during the winter months. The art is making your environment unattractive to mould growth around windows by keeping the air as dry as possible and ensuring plenty of airflows. Exhaust fans can be fitted in kitchens and bathrooms to help remove the steam associated with bathing and cooking; they help with ventilation in warm rooms which can be particularly prone to condensation.

When the weather is dry which is not very often in a British winter , use natural ventilation by opening windows for around half an hour every day to help promote the flow of air.

Some types of mould will feed on the wood in the frame and sill of wooden windows and of course, wood loves moisture so wooden windows do need more work if you want to keep the growth of mould and mould spores at bay.

However, mould also just loves the seals on uPVC windows although it finds it harder to damage the actual plastic frames and sills. The NHS recommends that householders should only remove mould patches if the area around or on the windows is smaller than one metre squared; anything larger should be removed by a professional cleaning company due to the dangers posed by the spores and the dust.

If you are washing or cleaning mould around the windows, always wear protective clothing which should include Breathing in spores or touching the mould around your windows can be dangerous and you may also be using solutions like bleach which can damage the skin and should not be inhaled.

On the inside you turn up your heating which causes the air in your home to become warmer. You bring your washing inside to dry on your radiators and this in turn releases excess moisture in to the air. Then, you close your curtains which traps the warm air from the radiators around the area of the window.

When the warm damp air lands on your windows, it forms water droplets. All of these things combined add to your condensation problems. Luckily, we have a few tips which can help reduce condensation on your windows! Firstly, to increase airflow you can install trickle slot vents. This is one of the most effective ways of allowing clean air to flow around your window.

It will enable the warm damp air around your window to escape outside and prevent it from sticking to your window. Which will overall reduce the amount of condensation. You can find trickle slot vents on our website here. An additional way to increase airflow would be to install air bricks into the outside walls of your home. You must log in or sign up to reply here. Show Ignored Content. Related Threads. Replies: 1 Views: Window showing signs of condensation microways85 , 13 Jan at AM , in forum: Windows and Doors.

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