It’s that time of year again – winter has arrived and we’ve just had the first frosts.

I don’t need to look outside to see that it’s cold, I just need to look at this website.

Here are the most popular pages on this site over the last two days:

1. My guide to curing loft condensation.
2. My article on how to get rid of condensation in the home.
3. My tips on how to reduce humidity in the home.

These pages get very few visitors when it’s warm outside, it’s a different story when it’s freezing cold though.

What Causes Condensation on Walls and Ceilings?

Condensation, whether on walls, ceilings or in lofts is almost always caused by a lack of ventilation.

During the winter months, we are more likely to keep our windows closed, have the heating turned up and produce more moisture through bathing, cooking and drying clothes on radiators.

With higher moisture levels in the home, many of us experience condensation problems.

This issue is exasperated by double glazing windows, draft excluders and wall insulation, which create an airtight home where the moisture cannot escape.

The modern rush to create environmentally friendly homes has led to several nasty side effects – poor air quality, condensation and mould.

How to Get Rid of Condensation

There are several steps you can take to reduce or even get rid of condensation altogether.

Also, there are three products that we recommend – all of them help to reduce the moisture in the air, so condensation won’t form on your windows, walls ceilings or in your loft.

3 Recommended Products

I recommend the following products to help cure condensation in walls, ceilings and lofts:

1) Pro Breeze 500ml Mini Dehumidifier

The Pro Breeze 500ml dehumidifier is a small, affordable, low-energy device that draws moisture from the air and deposits it into a tank which you can easily empty.

This product is perfect for a home where only one room experiences condensation, such as the bedroom.

With over 18,000 reviews and a 5-star rating on Amazon, we think this is one of the best portable products to get rid of condensation on walls and ceilings.

Check the price of the Pro Breeze 500ml dehumidifier here.

2) Drimaster PIV (positive input vent)

I’ve been ranting about these for years and from looking at the glowing reviews on Amazon, I’m pleased to see more people have invested in one.

This device needs to be installed by an electrician and is only suitable for homes with a loft.

Once fitted, the device pushes clean air into the home, forcing the existing air, which is high in humidity, out of the home.

One Drimaster vent is suitable for homes up to three bedrooms, just install the device in a central location, such as the landing at the top of the stairs or a hallway.

The Drimaster is popular with landlords who cannot force their tenants to stop drying clothes on radiators or to open window vents.

The Drimaster is a surefire way to get rid of condensation and improve air quality in any home.

Check prices for the Drimaster PIV here.

3) Solve Loft Condensation With Lap Vents

Lap vents are cheap and super easy to install, if you’re able to climb into your loft, you’ll be able to install these.

This product works by opening the roofing felt just enough to create an airflow so moisture escapes rather than condensating on the underside of the felt.

Fit these from inside your loft, no need for scaffold or ladders.

Check lap vent prices here.

Steps You Can Take to Reduce Condensation on Walls and Ceilings

In addition to the three recommended products listed above, try these steps:

1. Don’t dry clothes on radiators in the winter.
2. If you must dry clothes on radiators, open windows slightly so moisture can escape.
3. Open windows when possible in rooms that experience high levels of moisture; the bedroom (breathing at night), kitchen (cooking), bathroom (showering and bathing).
4. Leave at least a 100mm gap between furniture and walls to allow sufficient airflow along the wall.
5. Check existing wall vents aren’t blocked.
6. Open window air trickle vents, if your windows have them.
7. Leave your window open on the “night latch” if your window has one.
8. Use extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens.

Conclusion

Condensation on walls and ceilings is often a symptom of a more serious problem – poor air quality caused by too little ventilation.

Left unchecked, condensation can damage plaster, wallpaper and lead to mould and black spots on walls and ceilings.

The high humidity is also bad for your health and can lead to coughs and sore throats.

There is a very fine line between a well-insulated home and an airtight home. Get the balance wrong and you’ll suffer from poor air quality and associated issues.

This guide was written by me, Danny Woodley and was last updated in January 2022.

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