What can I do if water condenses on windows or other building components?

Condensation, i.e. visible and tangible moisture on building components, is always a warning sign and should not be ignored. If the humidity in the building is so high that visible condensation occurs, immediate action is necessary. In addition to the immediate removal of the condensate, e.g. in order to avoid immediate damage to the affected building components, the search for the cause is indispensable. If the aforementioned condensation always occurs, for example, after a shower or during cooking, this is rather normal. If this does not happen too often (more than once a day and for a longer period of time), nothing needs to be done. Certainly, opening the windows helps to reduce the humidity quickly. So after a shower or while cooking, you should ventilate properly.

If, on the other hand, condensation appears suddenly, e.g. when you are in a room, you should be alert. In most cases, there is no natural ventilation and this can lead to permanent problems or major damage. Frequent ventilation can be a remedy. However, especially at night or during working hours, ventilation cannot be sufficient. A permanently open window is not sensible from an energy point of view alone, as a lot of heating energy is wasted. Likewise, a permanently open window can increase the risk of burglary, or dampness and mould can develop in the window reveal due to condensing moisture. In addition to structural problems, the core of the above-mentioned problem can be a building that is too tight. Too tight means that usually after a renovation or even in a modern new building, so much insulation material has been used or so well done that simply no or only very little natural air exchange can take place. In these cases, an additional ventilation system should be considered. Simple systems with a limited range of functions are, for example, so-called free ventilation systems. For this purpose, leaky spots in the form of air diffusers are deliberately inserted into the walls or windows so that air can circulate again. However, this is usually not sufficient and a so-called mechanical ventilation system should be used. If you have any questions about the various options, we will be happy to help you.