Home Garden

How to Stop Condensation From Forming on the Inside of the Walls of a Home

Condensation occurs when warm air comes in contact with a cold surface, which causes moisture, or water droplets, to appear on surfaces in your home. It can also pass through the walls causing damage both inside and outside of your home. If left untreated, this can lead to other problems such as mold growth, peeling paint, drywall bubbling and wood rot. A musty odor could develop in your home as well. There are precautions you can take to reduce the amount of condensation inside the walls of your home.

Instructions

    • 1

      Install a vapor barrier inside your home. A vapor barrier is a material that slows the speed with which the moisture can travel. The most common types of vapor barriers are rigid foam insulation, foil-backed wallboard and aluminum- or paper-faced fiberglass roll insulation. All types of vapor barriers are not recommended for all climates, so it is best to do some research before you install one. Most new homes are built with vapor barriers already in place, but many older homes either do not have enough or don't have any at all.

    • 2

      Install miniature louvers in the exterior walls of your home. Louvers are slatted vents that allow air to properly circulate and prevent the moisture from becoming trapped and condensing inside your walls.

    • 3

      Check that your attic louvers are not blocked and are ventilating properly. You should have at least two attic louvers placed across from each other at opposite ends of the home to allow for proper ventilation. If there is not enough ventilation in your attic, moisture will condense and can cause damage to your roof and to the ceilings below. Mold growth could also occur, leading to more severe problems in your home. Mold can also affect your health as well.

    • 4

      Place foundation vents in your crawlspace, if you have one. A minimum of four vents, one at each corner, placed just below the bottom of the joists, will give proper ventilation in your crawlspace so moisture will not build up and soak into your floors and walls.

    • 5

      Watch for signs of mold growth. If there is mold growth within the walls of your home it will eventually come through to the outside of the walls. The presence of mold will also cause a musty smell throughout your home and can cause health issues as well. If you notice any signs of mold, it is important to take immediate action to remove the mold before it causes additional damage to you and to your home.