Condensation occurs anytime there is
more moisture in the air than the air can hold; as warm air cools, water
droplets form. This can cause drips from your ceiling or surface
moisture. Left unchecked, this condensation will eventually cause mould.
Interior humidity during cold weather is a common cause of condensation.
This is a result of your heating or cooling system, improper construction, or
gas operated heaters. Commercial dehumidifiers can help to reduce
internal moisture. Let’s take a look at how to protect your building from
mould and condensation.
Types of condensation
Two types of condensation can occur indoors. The first is visible
condensation, and it is the easiest to deal with because you know it’s
there. This condensation is the water droplets you see on skylights,
water pipes, windows, or heating ducts.
The second type of condensation is concealed condensation. This is the
one that causes mould because you can’t see it. When you don’t know you
have condensation, it gets built up and ignored until it causes further
problems. Concealed condensation happens when moisture passes to the
interior of a building, usually inside walls. The causes are numerous,
but all of them are related to some sort of improper ventilation or sealing
between indoors and outdoors. Concealed condensation usually appears as
stains, mould, or mildew on walls or ceilings.
Reducing and eliminating condensation
The goal to reduce condensation is to keep the humidity level in your building
between 30 and 50%.
● Insulate your building well
● Use fans to encourage air circulation and evaporation
● Ensure you have proper ventilation in place for heating and
cooling systems
● Check windows and doors for air leaks
● Install a commercial dehumidifier to pull moisture out of
the air
The basics of mould control
The key to controlling mould in your building is to control the amount of
condensation. If you already have mould, it is essential to clean up the
mould promptly and fix the leak that caused it. Any areas that have
received water damage should be dried within 24-48 hours to prevent the growth
of mould.
How to get rid of mould
It is impossible to get rid of all mould spores inside a building
completely. There will always be some floating around in the air.
The key is to keep them from growing. If moisture isn’t present, it can’t
grow. If you have discovered mould growth in your building and it’s not
too extensive, you can scrub it off the surface with detergent and water.
If the mould growth is extensive, it may require a mould remediation
service. Avoid breathing or touching the mould while
cleaning it up by wearing a mask and protective clothing.
A commercial dehumidifier or an industrial dehumidifier is the easiest way to
reduce condensation inside your building. Take steps to fix the moisture
source as well. Condensation is a natural occurrence, particularly during
the winter months. Proper ventilation, insulation, and circulation will
help prevent condensation from turning into mould.
