Don’t let damp and mould creep into your home | News

Damp and Mould Prevention

As the days continue to get colder and the nights are longer over the coming months, our homes are most at risk to damp and mould creeping in.

So what is it?

Mould is a type of fungus that grows in damp and humid spaces. All it needs to survive and grow are:

Things to eat like plants, soil, clothes, furniture, somewhere to grow, and water, such as condensation.

So how do you stop condensation from forming?

When water droplets come into contact with cooler air, or a cold surface, condensation forms.

Day to day activities like cooking, washing and showering can all produce excess water (steam) and if left will form water droplets (condensation) this encourages mould to grow, which can quickly spread within the home.

How can I reduce condensation forming?

Here are some handy tips:

Bathrooms

• Air the room by opening a window (only a little if it’s cold outside).
• If you have an extractor fan, turn it on and leave it to run.
• When running baths, use cold water first then hot water, this reduces the amount of steam.

Kitchens

• If you have an extractor fan fitted, turn it on and leave it to run.
• Don’t block extractor fans or air bricks.
• Air the room by opening a window (not too much if it’s chilly outside).
• Close doors to stop moisture spreading through the house.

Other rooms such as living rooms, hallways

• Avoid drying clothes in rooms that are not properly ventilated.
• Air and heat rooms to avoid excess moisture.
• Don’t place furniture too close to walls, leave a small gap between the furniture and the wall.

Other hints and tips

• Don’t put your heating on for short bursts (e.g. in the morning and in the evening) not only is this expensive, it is the perfect opportunity for condensation to appear. Maintain an average temperature of 18-22 degrees to keep condensation at bay and keep costs down.
• Don’t cover radiators with long curtains, this reduces the effectiveness of your heating.
• Open the tiny vents, called trickle vents, at the top of your windows to help reduce condensation and allow moist air to escape.
• If you have a tumble dryer, vent it outside. Speak to us to find out the best way to do this.
• Wipe excess moisture away, keep surfaces dry e.g. from your windows when you get up in the morning, toilet cisterns or window sills.
• Use a fungal treatment or spray (approved by the Health and Safety Executive) to treat existing mould. You can buy these from most DIY stores or supermarkets. Don’t rely on bleach or washing up liquid for mould, they don’t work.
• Ensure there is good ventilation in your home, especially if you keep pets or fish tanks.
• Clear the clutter – hoarding items can make damp and mould problems worse as air is not able to circulate as it should.

Don’t forget to report any damp to us as soon as possible to prevent the problem from getting worse.

Let us know if:

• Your extractor fans are not working, or if there are no fans in the kitchen or bathroom.
• There are issues with radiators not working or if there are not radiators installed.
• You have ill-fitting internal doors or no internal doors at all. This is especially important in the kitchen or bathroom as this is where a large amount of condensation comes from.

You can get in touch with us by emailing our contact centre or calling us on 01296 732600.