Reducing Condensation In Your Park Home

Reducing condensation in your park home becomes more of an issue in the winter months as temperatures outside drop and heating gets turned up. Condensation is caused when moisture in the air comes into contact with colder non-absorbent surfaces such as windows, walls and tiled floors and worktops. So, the key to reducing condensation in your park home is to avoid situations where this can happen.

You could do this in several ways:

  1. By reducing the times when water-laden vapour (steam etc.) is created,
  2. by increasing ventilation, and
  3. by decreasing the incidence of cold surfaces in your park home by regulating your heating sensibly.

The main sources of moisture in the air are showering, cooking and laundry. Inconsistent heating and poor ventilation can also contribute to the problem as temperature differentials throughout your park home create the conditions for condensation to form. Then poor ventilation stops the moist air escaping before the water condenses out on to a surface.

Reducing condensation in your park home can increase its life span. Condensation can lead to problems such as surface damage and mould if not handled properly. This guide is designed to help you avoid these problems as much as possible in your park home.

These steps could help reduce maintenance costs and also could help increase the comfort you enjoy in your park home. 

Park home insulation

Recently built park homes are very well insulated as a rule to comply with building standards. Insulation on the roof, walls and under the floor of your park home helps to maintain a consistent and good temperature throughout your rooms, allowing for fewer temperature differentials.

Maintain a consistent temperature

Try not to allow your park home to get too cold. A good heating system with thermostat control is essential to keep an ambient temperature that avoids condensation. Even seldom used rooms should have a minimum temperature maintained so that surfaces don’t get too cold and lead to water condensing out of the air. An air or ground heat pump could be a good addition to maintain a suitable ambient temperature inside your home. 

Ventilation

Good ventilation is essential in a park home for many reasons, not least to prevent condensation. Make sure that existing vents are kept clear by regularly cleaning them both inside and outside.  Keep furniture and cushions and the like a little distance from the walls allowing air to circulate freely around your park home.

You could have your stove and bathroom vented to the outside with extractor fans or similar methods. Most modern park homes will be equipped to vent steam and moisture to the outside. If you have an old model, it is worth considering installing such features. Avoid running hot, steaming water for too long which could help you save money on your energy bills.

Be aware when you are creating moisture in the air

When cooking, try as much as possible to keep lids on pans and windows and curtains open.

You may also want to make sure a window is open near the kettle when it is boiled for the same reasons, or keep it near the stove and use the extractor.

Washing machines, tumble driers and wet clothing are also significant sources of moisture inside your park home. Avoid hanging clothing out to dry inside your home but if you have to, keep a window or two open while you do. If you have a tumble drier, it is best to get one which vents into the outside. If weather allows, open your windows when emptying these appliances.

When cleaning your surfaces, avoid using steaming hot water to do this. It is best to use tepid water and detergent of some kind. Make sure you dry off the inside surfaces and windows after cleaning. Try not to leave water you have used to evaporate into the internal air.

Condensation and mould resistant paint

It is a good idea throughout your park home’s interior, but especially in the bathroom or shower, to use condensation-resistant paint. This is not sufficient on its own to get rid of condensation, but together with the other measures suggested here, could contribute to reducing the problem and any damage caused significantly. It could also help to prevent mould building up on damp surfaces.

There are some mould resistant paints available, which are clear and can be applied on existing decoration without changing your colour scheme and can also be applied on tiles. Check the manufacturer’s guidelines for suitability for your own particular décor and finishes.

We hope that this article has been useful and provides suggestions which could help you reduce the condensation in your park home, making it more comfortable and preventing problems associated with damp.

This is a marketing article from Park Home Assist, multi award-winning providers of residential park home insurance.  If you would like to speak to an advisor regarding insurance for your park home, please contact our friendly team in our Northampton office on 01604 946 796.

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Published – 03/12/21