Dampness, condensation and mould - tips to control the issue
Damp issues, especially relating to condensation, excess moisture and mould problems in people's homes have been a highly discussed subject in the media over the last 12 months
With the dark nights and cold weather now upon us, it brings with it increased problems of trapped moisture, condensation and mould within properties as we naturally keep our windows closed for longer to keep the heat in. But what can those who are struggling with condensation and mould problems do? For today’s #MaintenanceWeek post, we focus on tips, suggestions and guidance to help you identify issues and reduce the excess moisture inside your home.
Our tips to prevent condensation and mould...
Control water temperatures:
Run cold water in the bathtub before hot water (this can reduce steam by 90%). For showers, open the bathroom window a little and keep the bathroom door shut whilst in there. keep it closed until the steam has dissipated.
Think about ventilation:
Open windows and exterior doors to allow excess moisture to escape whenever it is sensible to do so.
When cooking:
Put lids on pots and pans and turn down the heat once the water has boiled. This saves energy and reduces the amount of moisture that enters the air.
Washing & drying clothes:
If possible, avoid drying clothes on radiators. Instead, dry clothes outdoors or in the bathroom with the door closed and the window open or extractor fan on. If you do use heated airers, remember to open windows. the moisture still needs to escape your home.
Using a tumble dryer:
Make sure it is vented to the outside (DIY kits are available for this) or is a condenser dryer.
Use fans & window vents:
If you have extractor fans, make sure you turn them on when cooking and washing. In addition, remember to clean and to clear the dust out of window vents
Heating your home:
Controlling the heating is one way to prevent mould growth. However, it has to be balanced with the cost of living. Short bursts of high heat in one room are not as effective as keeping a steady, low heat throughout the home if you want to control .
Look out for mould & water on surfaces:
Mould is often the first indication that there is an issue with high humidity. But condensation can present itself as water running down internal surfaces. If you are seeing these issues, remember to ventilate you home more by opening windows for longer to allow moisture out and to clean & dry surfaces. Visit our webpage on mould problems for more guidance.
Videos and other information that can help
For those homeowners looking to understand more towards dampness issues in their home, we have recently created a series of 4 short videos explaining the basics from what we mean by damp in homes to prevention and control measures. To view the videos and other helpful guidance, click on the buttons below.
Helpful guidance videos >
Homeowner condensation advice >
Concerned? People who can help you
For some of you, despite taking preventative measures, sometimes condensation issues will still persist This may indicate a deeper problem. In these cases, we recommend sourcing a specialist surveyor to explore the cause of the problem and provide advice or propose solutions.
If you are concerned, there are qualified specialists you can find local to you. Simply go to our local search tool and add in your postcode or town to find the specialist.
Find local specialists >
More tips and advice during the week
Look our more maintenance tips, guidance and information coming out during the week as part of our support for #MaintenanceWeek 2024. Keep an eye on our news section of our website and our social channels for more posts to come…
View our news section >
