What causes damp and mould problems?
A build-up of moisture in your home can cause damp and mould problems and could affect your health. Damp and mould are a cause of being too much moisture in the air or property.
Condensation is a common problem caused when moist, warm air meets a cold surface like a window or external wall. Dampness caused by too much condensation can lead to mould growth on walls, ceilings, and furniture.
Damp and mould can also be created by other aspects such as damaged guttering, raised ground levels above damp-proof course, water leaks and other factors which may release moisture into the building.
If you see any signs of damp or mould in your property or something that may lead to damp and mould like broken guttering or water leak, please contact us so that we can complete an inspection on your property.
Activities that contribute towards moisture in a property:
- Cooking
- Drying clothes inside
- Tumble dryers
- Lack of ventilation
- Showering
- Boiling a kettle
Ways you can reduce the amount of moisture in your property
For example, you could:
- dry your surfaces regularly (windows, sills, and kitchen tops). Wring out the cloth rather than drying it on a radiator
- hang your washing outside if possible, or hang it in a room with the door closed and a window open or extractor fan on
- cook with pan lids on and the extractor fan on. Use only as much water as you need to cover vegetables, and turn down the heat when the water has boiled
- reduce steam when having a bath by running the cold water first and then adding the hot. Keep the bathroom door closed to contain moisture and turn the fan on or open a window
- make sure your tumble drier has a vent that connects to the outside.
You can increase ventilation by:
- open windows and vents whenever possible to allow air to circulate, especially when cooking or washing up
- use an extractor fan or open a bathroom window for about 20 minutes after showering or bathing
- leave your bedroom window open at night, even if only slightly
- keep the kitchen and bathroom doors closed so moisture cannot escape into the rest of the house
- keep a small gap between large furniture and the wall for ventilation
Warm air holds more moisture than cool air – the warmer it is, the more it can hold, meaning less condensation. It’s better to keep a medium temperature throughout your home than to heat one room to a high temperature.
If you can, improve your home’s insulation and draught proofing to keep surfaces warmer. This is also helping to reduce your fuel bills and increase the temperature in your home.
You can also increase the energy efficiency of the property's heating and insulation by providing:
- loft/wall insulation
- double glazing
- upgrading heating
Further Resources
- A guide to help manage moisture in your home
- For more information, please see the video below courtesy of UKCMB.
Reporting Damp and Mould
If you see any signs of damp and mould in your council property, please follow the link below or call customer services on 01522 873 333.