Malta - British Expat Forum

the one which is serousy marring our new life here in Malta is the damp from condensation and the consequent mould. Our landlord says that is because we dont keep the place sufficiently ventilated.
Well ventilation is not an option when it is blowing a gale and we are trying to keep the place warm. Does this have to be a part of our life in Malta or are there options.
How do others cope ?

cheers..Ed

Damp is particularly bad in basement flats facing north (and also sometimes in penthouse if the roof isn't sealed). What is your flat ?

Your landlord is probably correct - locals tend to open windows on sunny winter days like today to get the air circulating, or atleast set the ceiling or floor fans going. You can also use dehumidifiers (airconditioners often have this as a function). You can also buy crystals for absorbing water

We have a ground floor apartment of a three storey block. were you serious about opening windows today ? or are you protected from these winds. any window open today in our apartment has everything bar the furniture flying about exageration perhaps but you know what I mean.

cheers..Ed

not windy around us - do you have windows on more than one side/end of the apartment ? if so, cant you open any of them without risking damage ?

Have windows on all sides of apartment, but for the purposes of ventilation have found that windows on either side were necessary to dry up the condensation. We have done our best with this- even the fans, but the mould is persistant and I dont want to have to spend my time spraying mold deterrent and cleaning down walls.

cheers..ed

this winter has been fairly typical in terms of rainfall so if the mould is bad this winter, I wouldn't expect any improvement in future years.

Mark- have not considered the rain as being a factor- The mould, I am reasonably sure, is caused by the condensation. Trying to keep warm with LPG heaters, heavy breathing etc, condensing on the permanently cold walls then not drying despite our best efforts. I gues this is going to be a problem in this type of construction wherever.

cheers..Ed

Damp comes though the walls - a particular problem with ground floor rooms, esp if north facing walls - if you use aircon rather than gas heaters it should help, and the cost of using them is similar now. Normal elcetric heaters are much more expensive though.

The problem you describe is probably as you suggest, condensation. Using LPG causes a large amount of extra water vapour to be released into the atmosphere thus making the condensation worse. Electric heating would add no water vapour to the atmosphere. Hot air can carry more water vapour than cool air. As air cools the water vapour condenses onto the coldest surfaces in the room .. such as glass and cold stone walls.

If you think of dampness as being water where you do not want it and a major cause was water coming through the wall the application of a water repellent would solve it. This would not solve the problem you describe. It would help though, treating the outer face of external walls with a water repellent can be very helpful because water saturated walls have a lower average temperature and as such lose heat more rapidly.

You have additional problems to do with the surface temperature of walls and windows and the amount of water in the atmosphere – relative humidity. External walls, ceilings which are the underside of the roof and floors directly onto rock are a big problem in Malta because there is a history of not having or having inadequate insulation. The problem is not peculiar to Malta but most countries in northern Europe have an enforced building code ensuring a decent standard whereas in Malta builders and architects largely, do their own thing.

The benefit of insulation is not limited to winter time, good insulation will help keep summer temperatures lower and more comfortable.
What can you do? Do an internet search on condensation cures, but when condensation problems are severe do not use LPG. Usually constant 24 hour heating at a low level is better than intermittent heating at higher levels. A dehumidifier is good because it lowers the moisture in the atmosphere and some of the electric used is given off as heat. If practicable interior insulating of the walls and ceiling can make a big difference but ensure that foil backed plasterboard or similar is used to stop water vapour migrating through the finished surface and condensing behind. The most effective way of insulating is externally but this is often too difficult to achieve in existing structures.

Good luck. Steve

Excellent posting. Thanks, Steve.

Hi Steve,
hi everyone

would you know, by any chance, if insulated plasterboard sheets are available anywhere on the island to buy?

Thanks,
Mar