Maintenance Tips
Ventilation, Condensation and Relative Humidity:
The optimum year round humidity level to be maintained within the residence is approximately 50%. Due to seasonal variations of the relative humidity outdoors, this level of humidity can be impossible to maintain without the use of specialized mechanical equipment. Mechanical means of maintaining a constant humidity within the home are available in the form of ventilation fans installed in all units’ bathrooms.
Due to Building Code/Bylaw requirements pertaining to energy conservation, current standards for house construction require that the exterior envelope of the building be sealed against incidental air leakage. This sealing of the exterior walls prohibits the leakage of warm air to the outdoors from within the residence.
Warm air has the ability to hold more moisture than cold air; therefore, daily activities within your new home such as showering, boiling water, and even respiration create moisture in the form of water vapour. Surprisingly, this can total 7 - 9 liters (1½ to 2 gallons) of moisture per day with four occupants. The warm air holds this water in suspension and as this moisture-laden air comes in contact with cold surfaces it will condense and water will form. Condensation will fuel the creation of mold and mildew.
The failure of an Owner to properly ventilate and maintain proper heating levels can seriously affect your home and the health of the occupants. Any resultant damage due to an Owner's actions would not be covered under the warranty or building maintenance budget.
The key to controlling humidity levels within the home and avoiding condensation is adequate ventilation. Ventilation allows the warm moist air to be exhausted from the home and replaced with dry cool air from the outdoors. This will marginally increase the cost of heating as this cold air is brought up to room temperature; however, this added cost is necessary to offset the harm the high humidity levels will cause.
Windows or the toilet tank of the toilet used most frequently can be used as a guide to determine whether or not the proper relative humidity is being maintained. As soon as condensation occurs on inside window surfaces or on the tank of the toilet, steps should be taken to reduce the relative humidity by controlling the moisture sources and/or by increasing ventilation.
As previously stated, ventilation is often the only effective means for removing moisture. Exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom will remove moisture created from cooking and bathing before the vapour can circulate through the house. These fans need to be run often enough to remove the air borne moisture. The length of time required will depend on the number of occupants, the activities undertaken and outdoor climatic conditions. Your bathroom fan should be running 8 hours per day.
Windows are an effective means of ventilation and depending on weather conditions, thoroughly airing out the home for 15 minutes three times per day may suffice. In addition, opening a window near the source of moisture while the exhaust fan is in operation and heating on will allow for cross ventilation and more effective moisture and odour removal.
- Stainless steel appliances - never use an abrasive or strong cleaners (powdered or ammonia-base cleaners, etc.) Do not use abrasive scrubbers as they will scratch the finish. Wet a sponge or cloth with hot water and mild dish soap to remove food particles. Hot water and white vinegar also works. These cleaning solutions are good for inside and out.
- Microwave cleaning - for caked-on, difficult-to-scrub splatters, put a small bowl of water in the microwave and set it to boil. Allow enough water in the bowl for it to boil about a minute. All those hard-to-clean splatters will now easily wipe off with a sponge or cloth.
- Cleaning mirrors, windows and glass shower doors - hot water & white vinegar is absolutely the best. Use a squeegee if you have one and/or use a lint-free cloth or paper towels.
- Wood floors & laminates - never let water or moisture of any type sit on the floor. It will likely seep into joins and create swelling. Use a well-wrung-out mop when cleaning and always clean up spills and pet accidents immediately.
- Tiles - hot water & mild detergent will remove dirt & oils. If the grout is stained, use an old toothbrush or hard bristle brush to scrub in between the tiles. A bit of mild detergent & a bit of bleach will help lighten the grout. (wear old clothes though!)
- Do not mix vinegar & bleach ever as it creates a harmful gas. Also beware of using two different cleaning products that have these ingredients.
Ventilation, Condensation and Relative Humidity:
The optimum year round humidity level to be maintained within the residence is approximately 50%. Due to seasonal variations of the relative humidity outdoors, this level of humidity can be impossible to maintain without the use of specialized mechanical equipment. Mechanical means of maintaining a constant humidity within the home are available in the form of ventilation fans installed in all units’ bathrooms.
Due to Building Code/Bylaw requirements pertaining to energy conservation, current standards for house construction require that the exterior envelope of the building be sealed against incidental air leakage. This sealing of the exterior walls prohibits the leakage of warm air to the outdoors from within the residence.
Warm air has the ability to hold more moisture than cold air; therefore, daily activities within your new home such as showering, boiling water, and even respiration create moisture in the form of water vapour. Surprisingly, this can total 7 - 9 liters (1½ to 2 gallons) of moisture per day with four occupants. The warm air holds this water in suspension and as this moisture-laden air comes in contact with cold surfaces it will condense and water will form. Condensation will fuel the creation of mold and mildew.
The failure of an Owner to properly ventilate and maintain proper heating levels can seriously affect your home and the health of the occupants. Any resultant damage due to an Owner's actions would not be covered under the warranty or building maintenance budget.
The key to controlling humidity levels within the home and avoiding condensation is adequate ventilation. Ventilation allows the warm moist air to be exhausted from the home and replaced with dry cool air from the outdoors. This will marginally increase the cost of heating as this cold air is brought up to room temperature; however, this added cost is necessary to offset the harm the high humidity levels will cause.
Windows or the toilet tank of the toilet used most frequently can be used as a guide to determine whether or not the proper relative humidity is being maintained. As soon as condensation occurs on inside window surfaces or on the tank of the toilet, steps should be taken to reduce the relative humidity by controlling the moisture sources and/or by increasing ventilation.
As previously stated, ventilation is often the only effective means for removing moisture. Exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom will remove moisture created from cooking and bathing before the vapour can circulate through the house. These fans need to be run often enough to remove the air borne moisture. The length of time required will depend on the number of occupants, the activities undertaken and outdoor climatic conditions. Your bathroom fan should be running 8 hours per day.
Windows are an effective means of ventilation and depending on weather conditions, thoroughly airing out the home for 15 minutes three times per day may suffice. In addition, opening a window near the source of moisture while the exhaust fan is in operation and heating on will allow for cross ventilation and more effective moisture and odour removal.