Frozen Condensation Inside Window

Boppy_2

I have had nothing but problems with my house regarding condensation, mould, damp etc as well as rotting outside window frames.

All upstairs windows get opened each morning (the bathroom and main bedroom gets left open until around 6pm) I rent my home from a Housing Association who blame everyone but themselves, they have put in 200mil (:huh:) of loft insulation which they said would sort out the mould/damp (it hasn't and more has appeared overnight :rotfl:)

My baby's room has a velux window which water pours down the inside wall and unless I bleach it twice a week mould grows along the window seal, fur and everything :eek: The window is also loose and can be pushed upwards, housing assured me it was all fine, however this morning I have gone in to her room and the condensation on her window has frozen solid complete with icicles :eek:

Is there an issue here? Is there anything I can do or should I call the housing out again?

They are useless and have previously told tenants no repairs will be done until April but obviously if there's a problem with the window it needs sorting asap!

BitterAndTwisted

This sort of condensation is often caused by the occupant's lifestyle. In view of the mould growth I would invest in a dehumidifier and run it 24/7 while cutting down on all possible causes like keeping the kitchen door closed and opening a window while cooking, ensuring no moisture-laden air migrates round the property while bathing and NOT drying any laundry indoors whatsoever.

WestonDave

The ideal set up is to keep the rooms as warm as possible, but with an adequate supply of fresh air (which will be drier than interior air) whilst any moisture generating activity happens in that room.

So - if you are having a shower or bath - open the window and leave it open for a reasonable time after the shower but close the door to stop steam etc getting into the rest of the house. After a sensible amount of time close the window up so the room warms up - if you leave the window open so the room stays cold then the steam on the walls/ceiling doesn't get a chance to dry. What you need is the window open long enough to get rid of all the steamy air, fresh dry air in, and then warmth to dry the moisture off into the dry air. It may then be worth opening it again for a short time for another air change. I wouldn't be leaving it open all day.

Same with the bedroom - you need the window open whilst you are in there breathing, sweating etc to keep the air changing rather than all your breathed out moisture building up into high humidity levels. Leave the window open a crack at night, and maybe open them a bit more for a short time in the morning to change the air - then let it warm up again.

Re the velux - if it is a genuine velux then its unlikely to be freezing due to cold coming through the window - so its either a cheap single glazed copy (in which case maybe some of the film glazing, or better still if you can get to somewhere like Wickes and get a sheet of clear acrylic - cut it to size with a Stanley knife and secure it over the whole window with some of the stick on velcro stuff) or there are a lot of draughts coming in around it due to it being poorly installed. Depending on how much "decorating" you are allowed to do, I would be tempted to get some sealant (you can get aerosol based ones where you don't need the gun to apply it), run that around the joint and then smooth it off with a plastic bag covered finger (you can use a wet finger with a bit of fairy liquid but I've found sticking a sandwich bag over your finger saves getting it off your hand!). That might make the window slightly more secure but also cut the draught.

Other than that, vent when you create steam, don't dry washing in the house and generally try to keep moisture levels low and warmth at reasonably high levels.

clutton_2

frozen ice in a baby bedroom is not good. You could contact the council Environmental Health officer and ask if they can intercede for you for repairs prior to April....

Have you been putting your re;pairs requests in writing so t hat you have a paper trail