As winter creeps in, so does moisture-filled air. And simple household chores like airdrying your washing, cooking and showering only add to the moisture levels.

This moisture causes condensation accumulation. Moisture within the air is drawn to the coldest parts of the house - the windows and walls.

Condensation will undoubtedly turn to dampness and mould. This can have a detrimental effect on your health and cause structural damage to your walls.

But there are 10 rules you can follow to prevent condensation build-up in your home.

RULE 1: Buy a Dehumidifier

Dehumidifiers lessen the likelihood of mould by removing excess moisture from the air. They suck in the air’s moisture and store it inside a water container.

An Ebac Smart Control dehumidifier will even detect the moisture levels in the air, switching off when it’s not necessary and turning on when moisture levels increase. This saves you money!

RULE 2: Air-Dry in a Designated Room

Using a designated room to airdry your clothes prevents moisture from spreading. Just place your Ebac dehumidifier in that room. Disaster averted!

RULE 3: Dry Your Clothes Outdoors

This rule is even more effective as it stops moisture build-up in your house altogether! Airdrying clothes inside your home is a prime cause of condensation. Drying them outdoors eliminates this issue.

RULE 4: Close Kitchen and Bathroom Doors

Kitchens and bathrooms are prime moisture-making rooms. The moisture produced by cooking and showering enters the air and ends up on your windows and walls.

You can confine the condensation to those rooms by closing your kitchen and bathroom doors. This prevents the spread of condensation across the house.

RULE 5: Use Your Extractor Fans

Most kitchens and bathrooms have in-built extractor fans. These remove moisture-filled air produced by cooking and showering.

When it’s chucked out the house, it can’t cause your home (or you!) harm.

RULE 6: Check Your Heating System

Condensation loves cold spaces. If you’re living in a cold house with a poor heating system, this increases the presence of condensation in your home.

Ensuring your heating system is working correctly and efficiently will reduce condensation levels.

RULE 7: Switch to Double Glazing

Single glazed windows are asking for trouble, letting the cold, moist winter air into your home. Switching to double glazing will reduce the heat transfer in your home, thus lessening the condensation.

RULE 8: Clear External Walls of Furniture

Air circulation is crucial in the prevention of condensation build-up. Having your furniture at least 50mm away from external walls will diminish condensation accumulation.

RULE 9: Open Windows in Warm Weather

When the weather isn’t so chilly, open some windows. This will ventilate your house and encourage air circulation. Condensation will disappear as a result!

RULE 10: Install Adequate Insulation

Poorly-insulated houses let all the cold air in during winter. With this comes moisture, which quickly turns to condensation. Insulating your home keeps external air outside, where it belongs.