Condensation is the process of water vapor changing back into liquid water. Humidity, invisible water vapor, is present in almost all air. Certain conditions develop that allow liquid water to form on surfaces.
Excess humidity and condensation can pose serious threats to our health both directly and indirectly. Since the 1900′s we have sealed our houses to control air flow in and out of our houses. This has the unintended consequences of trapping humidity that for centuries had not bothered society. Now, we better understand those dangers, and how to minimize them.
Condensation’s consequences occur in at least three forms:
- visible condensation
- concealed condensation
- organic manifestations
Concealed condensation is very damaging to structures and is hidden behind common building materials. The growth of mold and fungus helps increase allergies.
Remember, anywhere there is water, there can be water in the air! Sources of water in a five person home can amount to 10 kg of water a day EXCLUDING the heating process, from a recent British study. Some sources can include:
- breathing (asleep) = .3 kg
- breathing (awake) = .85 kg
- cooking = 3.0 kg
- personal washing = 1.0 kg
- washing/drying clothes = 5.5 kg
