Winter months and low temperatures are a period when increased air humidity occurs the most in apartments, leading to condensation. Attic apartments are most susceptible to this problem, primarily due to insulation specifics
Increased air humidity and condensation are much more significant problems than just aesthetic issues. Condensation leads to more substantial problems such as the deterioration of wooden windows and mold growth. In attics, condensation can be particularly harmful as it causes insulation deterioration, leading to expensive repairs.
Condensation occurs due to increased air humidity, especially during the coldest winter months when heating is increased, and windows are generally closed.
Main Causes of Condensation in Attics
Moisture in the air arises in many ways. Simply being in a room causes moisture. Two adults emit more than half a liter of water into the air as moisture during one night in a bedroom. Not to mention how much moisture is created in the air during processes such as cooking, showering, and drying clothes.
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All this leads to problems with increased moisture concentration, and the problem is especially pronounced in attic apartments. Quality insulation and quality windows, especially roof windows, can mostly eliminate this problem.
Condensation occurs when air with a high percentage of moisture contacts a cold surface. That’s why condensation first appears on window glass, as they are the coldest surfaces in the apartment.
First Sign of Excessive Air Humidity
The first reaction is expected to be wiping condensation from glass and window frames. This is fine, as it prevents condensation from dripping, which can cause rotting or mold growth, especially on wooden windows.
However, this is not enough, as condensation on glass is a signal that air humidity is too high and can lead to other less visible problems. Condensation can easily occur in cold places within the roof structure, in cold zones, leading to the deterioration of insulation and gypsum board if used in attic construction.
How to Regulate Air Humidity in Attic Apartments
Besides wiping condensation, it’s necessary to reduce air humidity. This can be most easily done through regular ventilation. We’ve written about this multiple times; ventilation should be intense and performed several times a day. Keeping a window slightly open is not a solution; it’s much more efficient to open all windows three times a day and create a strong draft.
This way, the entire humid air in the room is replaced with fresh, dry air without cooling the walls and furniture, quickly returning the previous room temperature. Ventilation is more efficient and with less energy loss than constantly keeping the window slightly open or in the “tilt” position.
In addition to regular ventilation, one way to reduce indoor humidity is to control processes that produce the most moisture. This means that during showers, the bathroom door should be closed, and after showering, the bathroom should be well ventilated before opening the door.
During cooking, it is desirable to have the extractor fan on to remove moisture from the room, or to keep the kitchen closed during cooking if possible, and, of course, well-ventilated. It is understood that humidity levels in the attic will be lower if drying clothes indoors is avoided if possible.
Can a Humidity Meter Help?
The easiest way to control air humidity in your apartment is to buy a humidity meter. It’s not a significant investment, and relatively reliable indoor devices that measure temperature and humidity can be purchased for just a few dollars. Additionally, room clocks that also measure air humidity are affordable.
To ensure the air in the room is of ideal humidity, i.e., healthy for the residents and the house, it should be between 30 and 60 percent, ideally 45 percent.
Photo: Velux