An expert has revealed a common blunder many people are making, which could be making condensation and related issues like damp and mould worse. As the cold weather ramps up, managing problems caused by it can prove challenging and tiresome.
However, according to Simon Roberts, a kitchen-fitting specialist at Vogue Worktops, there’s a straightforward, cost-free habit you can incorporate into your daily routine that will significantly cut down on the amount of steam in the air, and consequently condensation, helping to prevent damp and mould from taking root. Condensation is a prevalent problem that occurs when warm, humid air comes into contact with a cold surface. As the air cools down, it becomes saturated and releases the surplus moisture, which manifests as water droplets.
It’s more prevalent during the winter months as we crank up our heating to ward off the cold, subjecting our frosty walls, windows, and pipes to the warm indoor air. Many of our everyday activities contribute to increased moisture in the air, from cooking to showering – and even breathing. But there’s a method to mitigate its effects.
Simon Roberts said: “I see the mouldy aftermath of damp every single day when ripping out old kitchens. And the simplest, free fix is something most people do completely wrong.”
People are often advised to use extractor fans, open their windows, and wipe down surfaces after use to help reduce problems caused by excess moisture in the air. There’s plenty of guidance on social media, with one YouTube video offering a “complete guide” to banishing condensation and damp mould.
Simon, who boasts 15 years of experience in the trade, suggests an extra no-cost layer of protection before the problem even starts. The biggest source of indoor moisture often comes from steam rising out of your sink or pans when cooking or washing up.
That moisture then clings to the coldest surfaces in your kitchen – such as window panes, external walls, and cabinet backs – which creates ideal conditions for black mould. Condensation like this is a well-known cause of damp, according to National Energy Action.
Simon is urging people to simply stop running the hot tap first and instead run cold water into your sink or pan first. After this, you can add hot water to bring the temperature up to the desired level.
The expert says this “small shift in habit can reduce the violent burst of steam produced when hot water hits a cold surface by as much as 90 per cent”. Numerous official guidelines endorse this approach.
Several councils, including Mid Sussex District Council, North Northamptonshire Council, Newcastle City Council and many others recommend: “When filling your bath, run the cold water first then add the hot – it will reduce the steam by 90 per cent which leads to condensation.”
Simon explained: “You are instantly flash-boiling the air when you run hot water into a cold pot or sink. By letting cold water pre-fill things, you buffer that thermal shock.
“The hot water hits a gentler, warmer base, releasing far less steam. This will make a colossal difference to the moisture levels around your worktops, saving your home from mould and damp.”
Chilly exterior walls and windows already serve as key spots for condensation, and uncontrolled steam in kitchens can worsen the danger.
