Conservatories are bright, airy spaces, but they can also be surprisingly prone to damp and condensation, even though they’re mostly made of glass. You can prevent and stop damp, especially if you understand what’s causing it in the first place.
In this guide we’ll explain why you get damp in a conservatory, how to spot the early signs of damp, and practical ways to prevent and treat it all year round.
Can a Conservatory Get Damp?
Yes, damp problems can appear in any area of your home at any time, and your conservatory is no exception. Whether you’re in a stone-built period property or a modern cavity wall construction, damp can develop for several reasons.
You can easily identify if your conservatory has a damp concern by checking for the following symptoms:
- Water beading on windows and around the window frames
- Musty smells and mould forming around window frames or on walls
- Damp patches or peeling paint, wallpaper, or plaster on walls.
What Are the Key Causes of Damp in Conservatories?
There are several reasons why damp can develop in a conservatory, including:
Condensation
- Unlike solid brick cavity insulated walls, the glass surfaces in a conservatory are much cooler on average, especially in winter. This makes them more prone to condensation, where warm moist air settles on these cooler surfaces.
- Condensation is especially common in winter or in poorly ventilated spaces, especially if there is a moisture-rich room like a bathroom or kitchen nearby.
Rising Damp
- Rising Damp occurs when moisture rises from the ground through small capillaries in brickwork, allowing moisture into the wall and often onto the interior surface in visible tide marks.
- High exterior ground levels, insufficient drainage, and lack of an installed Damp Proof Course (DPC) can all allow ground moisture to rise into a wall.
Penetrating Damp
- Penetrating Damp is where small `defects in the exterior wall can allow moisture to penetrate the interior wall and create damp patches.
- Blocked or faulty guttering, defective seals around windows or rooftop panels, and defective pointing between brickwork can all allow water to ingress.
How Do I Prevent Damp in My Conservatory?
There are several things you can try yourself to reduce the likelihood of condensation damage developing within your conservatory.
Ventilation
Open windows and doors daily to allow fresh air to circulate. If you’re able to, installing passive ventilation such as trickle vents will allow for air to move consistently even if it’s cold.
Humidity Control
Avoid drying laundry inside the conservatory, as this can add excess moisture to the conservatory. If this is the only space you can use to dry laundry, consider using a dehumidifier during damp months to reduce the amount of moisture in the air.
Heating & Insulation
You should try to maintain a consistent temperature within your home where possible, as this will prevent warm air from condensing on cold glass. You could also consider upgrading insulation within your home (provided this doesn’t compromise ventilation).
Behaviour Adjustments
Reduce the amount of excess moisture sources (e.g., indoor plants that release humidity). If your kitchen or a bathroom is nearby, make sure these room doors are shut during moisture-dense activities like bathing or cooking, or ensure windows are open and mechanical ventilation is turned on to disperse any moist air.
Structural & Maintenance Fixes
Check your window and door seals periodically for drafts. Clean gutters and exterior wall bases regularly to prevent vegetation build-up. Ensure your walls have damp-proofing measures installed.
How Do I Remove Damp Once It’s There?
If you’ve already identified a damp problem within your conservatory, here are the next steps you should take:
Identify the Source
Try to spot where the water is coming in from. If there’s a damp patch on a low wall, this is likely rising damp from the floor. If there’s water trickling down the windowpanes, this could be condensation build-up or a roof defect causing penetrating damp.
Step-by-Step Treatments
You should wipe down surfaces regularly to reduce mould growth. If mould is prevalent, use a specialist fungicidal spray to remove this. Using a dehumidifier can also reduce moisture levels within your conservatory.
Call a Specialist
If your problem persists, book a damp survey with a qualified surveyor. Our surveyors will confirm whether your ventilation and damp-proofing methods are working as intended, and can recommend additional measures to treat the cause of any damp issue.
Conclusion
Your conservatory is as likely to develop a damp issue as any other room in your home. Condensation, rising damp and penetrating damp can all contribute to damp levels within your property. Keeping up with property maintenance, adapting your moisture-generating behaviours, and ventilating your conservatory regularly will all help to prevent damaged caused by damp or mould.
Luckily, Timberwise are ready to help. Just get in touch with our team of experts today, and we will be more than happy to help out in restoring your property to a damp free state. Call 0800 288 8660 or get in touch online today.
FAQs
Why Does My Conservatory Get Damp Even When It’s Sunny?
Condensation occurs when warm internal air meets cold glass surfaces. Moisture-generating activities like cooking, exercising or bathing all generate air that will be warmer than your conservatory windows, and so it’s more likely that condensation will form.
Is Condensation the Same as Damp in a Conservatory?
No. Condensation is surface moisture that is generated when warm air meets a cooler surface. Damp (rising or penetrating) can also be down to structural issues like defects or lack of a Damp Proof Course. It is important to look for the signs of damp in your home, such as damp patches on walls or water pooling or dripping from certain areas, before treating any potential damp issue.
How Do I Reduce Condensation in my Conservatory?
Regular ventilation, dehumidifiers, trickle vents in windows, controlled heating and insulation will all play a part in reducing condensation in a conservatory. You may need to try several methods to ensure you treat the root cause of condensation in your conservatory.
Can Poor Conservatory Design Cause Damp?
Yes. Lack of passive ventilation, inadequate seals around doors and windows, poor roof design, and bad window installation can all contribute to damp issues within a conservatory.
Do I Need a Professional to Fix Conservatory Damp?
If the tips above don’t work, a damp survey can diagnose underlying issues and recommend solutions. Book a damp survey with one of our specialist surveyors to have your conservatory professionally diagnosed and treated.
