Damp, mould and condensation

Damp, mould and condensation can all make your home less pleasant and unsightly to live in, but sometimes it can be difficult to pin down the cause

In modern, well-insulated homes, condensation is often the main cause of mould in the home.

Condensation is simply moisture in your home which hasn’t been able to escape – the moisture can be created through cooking, drying clothes, showering and even breathing.

Some simple steps can help avoid this moisture build-up:

• Wipe down surfaces where moisture settles
• Cover boiling pans when cooking
• Cover fish tanks to stop water evaporating
• Dry clothes outside when possible, or in a small room with the window open
• Make sure tumble dryers are ventilated to the outside
• Open windows or use extractor fans to let cooking steam escape (and do this for 20 minutes after cooking)
• Open windows for a while each day, or use trickle vents
• Leave a space between furniture and walls so air can circulate
• Don’t overfill cupboards and wardrobes, so there’s space for air to flow
• Keep air vents free from obstructions
• Maintain a low heat in your home when it’s cold or wet
• Close kitchen and bathroom doors when you’re cooking, bathing or washing

If you have condensation in your home and make these changes, you should notice an improvement within four to six weeks.

If you’re already following our guidelines and can see a ‘tidemark’ in the area, you may have a damp problem. This can be caused by things like:

• Leaking pipes, wastes or overflows
• Rain getting in where a roof tile or slate is missing
• Spillage from a blocked gutter
• Water entering around window frames.