How to prevent condensation this winter t’s critical to maintain your investment property. It attracts good tenants, but also influences the income you earn (rent) and the capital growth over time. Certain parts of the year can require your attention. Melbourne is certainly in the middle of the winter season and the weather has been very cold. One sneaky concern arises with these cold mornings, and that’s ‘condensation’.
How is condensation caused?
There are many activities that cause condensation within a home. Simple things such as cooking in the kitchen, washing or drying your clothes in the laundry, heating your home (i.e. reverse cycle) and even breathing. It can be difficult to avoid if we are in a cold season, but there are some things that can be done to reduce it. Please see below.
What is condensation?
The air contains moisture. The temperature of the air determines how much moisture it can hold. When warm air contains more moisture than cold air, the warm air is unable to retain the same amount of moisture as it did. The water is then released into the cold air or onto a colder surface, causing condensation to form.
Once the air is unable to hold any more moisture in the form of an invisible vapour, it then reaches a ‘saturation point’ where the moisture turns back into water and condensation occurs.
Unfortunately if not maintained, mold can quickly build up in various places. It can occur on walls, surfaces and even ceilings. The mold will have your property look pretty awful very quickly. As a landlord you should have your Property Manager inspect the property in the winter season to identify if this is forming in the property. It may look ugly, but it can also damage the health of your tenant.
Can condensation be harming to your health?
Mold produces tiny particles called spores. Spores are carried in the air and may cause health problems if inhaled by people who are sensitive or allergic to them. Symptoms can include eye or skin irritation, block nasals etc. Some people can have worse symptoms with headaches, sinus problems, and rashes to name a few.
Its known to be very rare, but some people may get mold infection in the lungs. It can be life threatening for an asthmatic who inhales mold. They can experience a severe asthma attack.
How bad can condensation damage the property?
Condensation isn’t just simple mold growth. It can really damage the property if not rectified. If condensation starts running down your windows it can stain the window frames (especially timber), while it can start to stain the plaster walls surrounding the window. In excessive levels it can even get to your floors, ceilings and even the roof insulation. If the insulation freezes through the winter, it will eventually release the water through your ceiling as the warmer weather returns. On the outside of the property, it can also cause the paint to blister.
The damage can quickly escalate. By the end of a winter season, you may be up for an expensive maintenance bill to fix it.
What can we do to reduce condensation?
There are many things that can be done to reduce the condensation build-up in your property. Here are a some useful tips:
- Keep the property warm with heating and insulation. Keeping the temperature more consistent will help.
- Install ventilation units over your house appliances. This includes your kitchen stove and laundry appliances.
- Ensure the roof is sealed outside so it doesn’t leak.
- Ensure there are no plumbing issues. These include your kitchen, bathroom, toilets etc. These can cause leaking.
- Check weep-holes in aluminium frames. These can build up with water.
- If you have timber flooring, take note for any buckling floorboards. There may be moisture build-up under the home. Replacing this quickly will help.
- If a repaint is required, make sure you use high quality fungicidal paint.
- Install a fan in areas likely to be affected by condensation. This is usually in toilets and bathrooms.
- Install storm windows or replacement windows with double or triple glazing.
Mould or leaks are usually considered to be a landlord’s responsibility, so it’s important you take note of these regularly and take action when necessary.
If you’d like to learn more about buying an investment property, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We would welcome the opportunity to help with your property purchase.
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While we have taken care to ensure the information above is true and correct at the time of publication, changes in circumstances and legislation after the displayed date may impact the accuracy of this article. If you want to learn more, please contact us. We welcome the opportunity to assist you.
July 2018
