| Condensation will occur on any surface
| |
| | approximately one square foot for every
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| that is below the dew point of the air in
| |
| | 200 to 300 square feet of ceiling area
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| contact with it (temperature at which
| |
| | (not more than 50% through the roof, and
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| condensation will occur at the existing
| |
| | no less than 50% through the gables or
|
| humidity level). In most houses in
| |
| | soffits).MOISTURE PRODUCED BY VARIOUS
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| winter, the inner surfaces of the windows
| |
| | HOUSEHOLD
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| are the coolest surfaces and condensation
| |
| | ACTIVITIES FOR A FAMILY OF
|
| will usually occur there before it
| |
| | FOURActivities Moisture Produced (pounds)
|
| appears on other surfaces. It seldom
| |
| | (litres)
|
| appears on walls because they are
| |
| | Cooking 3 meals a day 2 1.0 litre
|
| normally warmer, although occasionally
| |
| | Dishwashing 1 0.5 litre
|
| condensation may occur on cold spots such
| |
| | Bathing
|
| as nail heads and in the corners of
| |
| | - shower 5 2.5 litres
|
| outside walls where the insulation is
| |
| | - tub 2 1.0 litre
|
| reduced, or in confined spaces where the
| |
| | Clothes washing (per week) 4 2.0
|
| circulation of warm room air is
| |
| | litres
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| restricted. In some cases this can lead
| |
| | Drying indoors or with unvented dryer
|
| to mildew and the growth of mould.When
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| | (per week) 26 13.0 litres
|
| condensation becomes excessive the
| |
| | Floor mopping (per 100 sq.ft/) 3 1.5
|
| moisture load must be decreased or the
| |
| | litres
|
| ventilation rate increased. To reduce the
| |
| | Occupants (family of four per day) 12
|
| moisture load, humidfiers should be shut
| |
| | 6.0 litresDehumidifiers, depending on
|
| off, automatic dryers vented outdoors,
| |
| | the capacity of the model chosen, are
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| clothes drying indoors avoided, and the
| |
| | typically capable of removing 7.5 to 20
|
| structure checked for other possible
| |
| | litres of water from the air in the
|
| moisture sources (ventilation, insulation
| |
| | house, per 24 hour day. The age, type and
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| and moisture barriers in the attic,
| |
| | style of home will affect the degree of
|
| basement or crawlspaces; open cisterns;
| |
| | moisture retention, and therefore have a
|
| seepage in the basement etc.)HANDY
| |
| | bearing on the size of dehumidifier
|
| HINTThoroughly dry a damp spot on an
| |
| | required.Controlled air exchange, using
|
| exposed foundation
| |
| | an HRV (heat-recovery ventilator) is
|
| wall or floor with a hair dryer. Tape a
| |
| | usually a requirement in newer homes,
|
| 12 inch square of
| |
| | especially those built to R2000
|
| heavy plastic over the spot, and check
| |
| | standards. In these homes, uncontrolled
|
| it in one or two
| |
| | infiltration/exfiltration of air is
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| days. Seepage will cause the underside
| |
| | reduced to almost zero, and therefore
|
| of the plastic to
| |
| | moisture will quickly accumulate causing
|
| be wet, but condensation will form on
| |
| | condensation on windows and other cool
|
| the top side!Ventilation is generally the
| |
| | surfaces.Copyright Gil Strachan - All
|
| most effective means available to the
| |
| | rights reserved.Gil Strachan is a
|
| homeowner for reducing humidity and
| |
| | professional home inspector, representing
|
| should be obtained by opening windows or
| |
| | Electrospec Home Inspection Services in
|
| operating an exhaust fan (or the furnace
| |
| | east-central Ontario, Canada since 1994.
|
| fan) as soon as significant window
| |
| | Visit to learn more about home
|
| condensation appears.If only a moderate
| |
| | inspections."The Home Reference Book"
|
| or minimal amount of condensation is
| |
| | You can probably find a home inspection
|
| experienced, switching the fan on a
| |
| | for a little less than what we ask, but
|
| forced-air furnace to the "continuous" or
| |
| | you probably won't find the Home
|
| "summer" setting can help reduce humidity
| |
| | Reference Book. A $60 value, this
|
| in moist areas, by circulating and
| |
| | solutions-oriented reference tool comes
|
| blending the air throughout the
| |
| | free with every inspection we
|
| house.Attic ventilation is normally
| |
| | perform.It's the first tool you should
|
| provided by vent openings totalling
| |
| | have around the house!
|
