Many of us will have experienced issues with damp and mould in our homes at some point. Even in warm, well-maintained properties, mould growth can occur in some parts of the home, especially in the colder months.
Causes
Damp and mould are a common household problem, and they are often caused by excess moisture.
Damp is simply an excess of moisture that can't escape. Moisture can be caused by:
leaking pipes
rising damp from the ground
a damaged roof
window frames
condensation caused by a lack of heating and ventilation
Mould needs a damp environment to grow. Most mould growth is the result of surface condensation. In some instances mould may be the result of another form of damp. The three main causes of damp in the home are:
- Condensation. This is caused by moist, warm air condensing on cold surfaces, particularly in rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens.
- Humidity. This is a major cause of damp in homes. Humidity comes from activities such as showering, cooking, drying your clothes indoors and poor ventilation. The higher the humidity level is in the house, the higher the risk from surface condensation.
- Leaks. The third most common cause of damp and mould on walls is also one of the simplest, leaks. Leaks can occur from inside and outside of your property through pipes, walls or flooring.
If you notice any leaks or other defects, report this to us as a non-emergency repair.
Prevention
To prevent damp and mould, reduce humidity and condensation in your home:
always cook with a lid on your pans to stop steam escaping
avoid drying clothes on radiators, using a clothes airer within a ventilated room instead
leave small windows open for 30 minutes a day or ensure your trickle vents are left open
if you can, provide adequate heating throughout the day, avoiding temperature highs and lows
do not disconnect your mechanical extractor fans, as these are designed to remove moisture from your bathroom and kitchen
close doors and open windows when using your kitchen and bathroom to help the moisture to escape into the open air and not other parts of the home
dry your windows and window sills every morning
keep a small gap between large furniture and walls to allow ventilation behind
Report damp and mould
Get a damp, mould and condensation diagnosis from the damp medic on Housing Online:
- Register on Housing Online
- Go to Report a repair
- Select "Damp medic"
Then pick the option that matches your problem. The descriptions will then help you decide what kind of problem you may have and offer advice on how to treat it.
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