Condensation

carefulcath

I am wondering if you can help me . I have terrible condensation and get slugs in the house downstairs. The dehumidifier doesn't help. I have been told that it would be best to get someone to go under the flooboards to check under the house. But who do I get? I am worried about getting ripped off as I a m a single person or someone ripping up my floors for no reason.

Omar_Little

First off you need to find the cause of the condensation before a remedy can be found, there can be many reasons.

How is your house heated, and is there adequate ventilation? Do you have have single or double glazed windows, or maybe rising damp , penetrating damp or a leaking gutter? Is there mould forming anywhere at all?

carefulcath

Hi Yes there is mould forming on outside walls. I have gas central heating but I have airbricks. The dampcourse was done before I moved in 15 years ago. But I think condensation is the problem rather than rising damp

ormus

do you have airbricks below floor level?

bobthedambuilder

Central heating should normally not contribute to high humidity in the house, which is the root cause of the condensation. Here are some possibilities:

1. Insufficient ventilation in kitchen and bathroom - have you got extractor fans in both? If so, use them whenever you're using those rooms. If not, open a window to clear the moist air.

2. Supplementary heating. e.g. bottled gas or paraffin heaters, or open gas fires generate considerable amounts of water vapour (although you don't see it).

3. Tumble driers should be vented to the outside. Ideally, ditto cooker extractor hoods.

4. Is the house double glazed? Modern windows, especially upvc, can sometimes give too tight a seal, and should have a little trickle vent incorporated, usually at the top - make sure they aren't closed or blocked.

You're getting mould on outside walls; this is because the humidity is condensing on the colder walls. If these walls are cavity, have you considered cavity insulation?

If it's the slugs that are really worrying you, how about some slug pellets at entrances (outside) to see whether that alleviates the problem. You'd be amazed how easily slugs can get under doors and through small gaps in windows. Plus, try sausage dogs (you know what I mean!) at the external doors.

savemoney

We use to get slugs coming from beneath the floorboards behind cooker, sink etc. Filled them the holes with mastic. Not a real problem with condensation as we have a kitchen fan, vents etc.

MarilynMonroe_2

use salt rather than slug pellets, they can kill other animals too x