Latest news with #condensation
Irish Times
09-06-2025
- Climate
- Irish Times
How can we prevent damp in our home?
We're having a problem with damp appearing on the interior walls of our small office. The office is at the back of the house and when it gets cold outside, we start having damp marks appear on the walls of the office in the corner. Would this have to do with the exterior wall or insulation problems? What will we need to do stop this from happening? Damp or moisture on the face of your internal walls can be caused by several factors. It may be water ingress due to penetration; it may be rising damp, although the latter is incredibly rare and often misdiagnosed; or it could be condensation. Your description, and the fact that this manifests when it's cold, suggests that the damp your experiencing is condensation. Condensation forms when warm, moist air inside the office hits a cold surface, such as an inadequately insulated wall, and water droplets form. Over time, this can soak into the wall, leading to damp patches. Corners of rooms are particularly vulnerable because they tend to be colder due to reduced air circulation. Yes, insulating your walls may be the solution but before you start spending money and applying for grants, I think you should consider a few things. Is there a bathroom with shower, kitchen or other room that may generate high levels of moisture linked directly to the room? If so, ensure that the door remains closed to prevent moisture travelling into the office or other rooms. READ MORE Often, we shower and leave the bathroom door open during or after, allowing moisture to migrate all over the house and affect fabric. Close all doors over a series of weeks and observe. Remember the room must be allowed to dry out first. If condensation continues, then you move to the next low-cost option. Is there a vent in the room, like a hole in the wall? If yes, check that it is fully open to allow air flow. Often these are blocked or the shutter is closed. If no, consider installing a vent. It is important to note that often you will see a vent in the wall and there is black speckling (condensation) over it or around it. This is because a passive vent was simply not good enough to deal with the problem of moisture. Why? Well, that would take more investigation, but consider putting in a mechanical extract vent. When moisture builds up, this activates, pulling moisture out of the room. It's money out but is a small disruption and may be the solution. In either scenario above, its important to ensure the room is adequately heated. There are many solutions, but a suitable one is key. Before carrying out any works I suggest you contact a chartered building surveyor who specialises in thermal upgrades. Brigid Browne is a chartered building surveyor and a member of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland Do you have a query? Email propertyquestions@ This column is a readers' service. The content of the Property Clinic is provided for general information only. It is not intended as advice on which readers should rely. Professional or specialist advice should be obtained before persons take or refrain from any action on the basis of the content. The Irish Times and it contributors will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from reliance on any content
Daily Mail
30-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Aussie travellers mystified by unusual phenomenon inside Jetstar cabin - but there's a simple explanation
The moment a thick white mist began filling the cabin of a Jetstar plane has left passengers baffled - but there's a simple explanation. The heavy fog-like haze can be seen drifting through the aircraft, limiting visibility and cloaking the cabin in a large white cloud. The footage, uploaded to social media this week, was taken on a Jetstar flight leaving Bali and sparked a wave of reactions from Aussies. Many said they had experienced the same phenomenon on other flights. 'My Jetstar flight was like this from Denpasar to Sydney last weekend,' one commenter wrote. 'I've never seen anything like it and thought something was wrong with the plane.' Another added: 'Ours was the same going from Cairns to Bali.' 'I've experienced this leaving Bali, thought our plane was on fire,' a third said. 'This happened to me on a Vietnam Airlines flight on September 11 last year. I really thought it was the end of me,' fourth added. One commenter solved the mystery, explaining the mist had been caused by the cold air-conditioning of the plane combining with the humid Bali weather. 'It's just condensation. The dry air from the aircon mixing with the damp humid air from outside,' they wrote. A Jetstar spokesperson said passengers shouldn't be worried if they saw the mist on future flights in a statement to Daily Mail Australia. 'This fogging happens when warm and humid air mixes with cooler and dryer air from the aircraft air-conditioning system, forming condensation,' they said. 'Customers shouldn't be concerned as it's a common occurrence in hot and muggy environments like Bali and usually clears quickly.' Speaking to CNN, climate scientist Dr Indrani Roy from the University College London, reiterated that the mystery fog is far less terrifying than it looks. 'The environment on board an airplane creates perfect conditions for condensation in the cabin,' she explained. She explained that condensations occurs when warm water vapour in the air, which she describes as 'prone to sticking', comes into contact with cooler solid surfaces. Dr Roy said while the ghostly fog may appear concerning, it's not dangerous. 'Neither mist nor any resulting condensation is cause for alarm,' she said.
The Sun
28-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
The 95p hack that stops mould in your bathroom – and why opening the window DOESN'T work
THE cold and damp winter months may be behind us for now, but many households are still suffering from mould. And people are being warned that opening the window after a shower could be the reason for condensation and spores growing in bathrooms. 2 According to specialists at Shutter Store, opening the window after a shower can create the perfect breeding ground for mould. Especially when the air outside is cooler than it is indoors, as this allows the cold outdoor air to mix with the warm, damp air from the bathroom - in turn, causing water vapour to condense quickly on surfaces. It's even estimated that the likelihood of finding mould in a bathroom is two to three times higher than in bedrooms or living rooms. After a hot shower, humidity levels in a bathroom can increase massively - especially in small or poorly ventilated spaces. This moisture clings to tiles, mirrors, ceilings, and windows, and if not properly managed, mould can begin to grow within 24 to 48 hours. And while opening a window after a shower may seem helpful, it can disrupt the airflow created by extractor fans and introduce cold air that accelerates condensation. This leads to more moisture settling on surfaces, exactly what mould needs to thrive. Instead, experts at Shutter Store have recommended a simple 95p mould-prevention tip that don't involve opening the window. They said: "By applying a small amount of shaving foam to a mirror's surface and wiping it clean with a towel or microfiber cloth, a barrier is created between the steam and the glass. "This method can keep your mirror steam-free for several weeks." A tin of shaving foam costs as little as 95p in Aldi, making this a very affordable hack. Wiping down all surfaces is also important, as they continued: "After a hot shower, moisture clings to walls, mirrors, windows, and even ceilings. "If left to sit, this moisture can feed mould growth. To prevent this, use a towel or squeegee to wipe down tiles, glass, and countertops. Focus on corners and grout lines, where mould tends to settle." Other options include investing in underfloor heating and leaving the extractor fan on for a full 30 minutes after you've finished your shower. "It's also important to clean the fan every few months to remove dust and lint buildup", the Shutter Store team add. Moisture absorbers like silica gel, calcium chloride crystals, or desiccant containers can also help prevent mould. These passive tools draw excess humidity from the air and are especially useful in smaller bathrooms without windows or with poor ventilation. Sam Tamlyn, Managing Director at Shutter Store, commented: 'Opening the bathroom window after a shower can reduce the effectiveness of your extractor fan and create cross-drafts that spread moisture. "Instead, focus on wiping down surfaces and letting your fan do its job. Understanding how ventilation works is key to keeping mould at bay.'
