Damp and condensation

If you notice streaming windows, damp surfaces, mould and musty smells in your home, it might be down to high levels of condensation are present.

Day to day activities such as, cooking, drying clothes, and showering add to the moisture in the air. If this moisture is allowed to build up it can cause damp.

This can cause black mould growth on walls, ceilings, furniture and clothing. Some people do not realise that this mould growth is often caused by condensation from normal activities, mistakenly thinking these are signs of damp caused by problems with the property itself.

• Just one load of damp washing can emit nine pints of moisture into your home.
• You can produce around 22 pints of water in your home each day through everyday activities.

How to get rid of mildew
Simply wipe away any excess moisture and treat the mould with a special wash (available from DIY stores). Pay particular attention to kitchens and bathrooms which produce the most moisture.

Remember – mould is a living organism that needs killing to get rid of it. Don’t disturb it by brushing or vacuum cleaning and do not use bleach or washing up liquid.

After treatment, redecorate using a good quality fungicidal paint to help prevent mould recurring.
Dry-clean mildewed clothes and shampoo carpets.

Tips on reducing condensation while around the house.

When Cooking

• Keep lids on pans when cooking.
• Keep the interior kitchen door closed to prevent steam going into colder rooms, even after you have finished.
• Open a kitchen window slightly or use an extractor fan or open window vents if fitted.

When Bathing

• Keep the bathroom door closed but open the bathroom window slightly.
• Make sure the extractor fan is working and open window vents if fitted.
• When filling the bath, run cold water first and then add hot water. This will greatly reduce the amount of steam.

When Washing/Drying

• Dry washing outside wherever possible.
• Avoid drying laundry on radiators or in front of fires. It will dry them but will release moisture into your room.
• If it is too cold to hang washing outside, put it in the bathroom and open the window or turn on the extractor fan.

Heating

• With energy bills rising we are all cutting down on our heating. However, in cold weather – the best way to keep rooms warm enough to avoid condensation is to keep low background heating on all day. When the home is warmer, condensation is less likely to occur. This is more effective than setting it high and turning it off and on.

Air circulation

• Allow air to circulate around furniture and in cupboards by making sure they are not overfilled and there is space between the furniture and the wall.

The only lasting way of avoiding severe mould is to eliminate the cause of the dampness – condensation.

If you notice any of the following, please contact our customer services centre on 0345 600 6400.

• Leaking pipes, wastes or overflows.
• Rain seeping through the roof where a tile or slate is missing.
• Spilling from a blocked gutter.
• Penetrating around window frames.
• Leaking through a cracked pipe (these often leave a ‘tide-mark’).
• Rising damp due to a defective damp course or because there is no damp course (rising damp only appears in ground floor rooms, and only to a maximum of 1m up a wall).

Help and Advice

If you have a concern about condensation or damp in your home that you are unable to remedy with the advice above, then please contact your estates officer.