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Damp, mould and condensation can be an issue in many homes, particularly in the colder months and we have put together some useful information here to help.
Did you know that the average household produces 12 litres or 21 pints of moisture, every day?
Everyone, in every home produces moisture. Cooking, washing, showering, even just breathing creates water which is released into the air.
When this moisture cools and settles it causes small water droplets called condensation. If left, this condensation can lead to mould.
Condensation is a part of life as we all need to live and breathe at home. However, there are ways to tackle it before it causes bigger problems like damp and mould.
Download our Factsheet or watch our video for some more top tips.
Managing damp and mould
Damp, mould and condensation FAQs
Moisture in the home can appear differently for different reasons.
The most common moisture found in the home isn’t damp, it’s condensation. This is when water in the air settles on colder surfaces and forms water droplets. You will usually find it on windows and walls. You may notice condensation more in wetter and colder months, usually from September to March. Condensation can be caused by everyday living, doing things like cooking and showering – even just breathing.
You can manage condensation yourself by keeping trickle vents on windows open at all times, keeping an even temperature throughout your home, and by wiping water droplets. If left, condensation can make the perfect environment for mould to grow.
Rising damp is moisture found in walls and buildings that is rising up from the ground. If you have rising damp you will be able to see blistering, staining and peeling on your paintwork. Salt will also build up on the surface of your wall leaving a tide mark up to a metre high. Rising damp can be caused by a number of things, including missing damp proof course or changes to ground conditions.
Water penetration can look like condensation or rising damp. This can be caused by a leaking roof, wall or pipe. If you think you have rising damp, water penetration or a leak, please get in touch with OneCALL on 0345 8 507 507. The advisor will then arrange for someone to visit your home. Please try to give our customer advisor as much information as possible.
Untreated mould or damp that is left for a long period can cause health issues as well as being difficult to live with.
Our surveyors can look into possible causes and recommend the best way to fix the issue.
If you think you have rising damp, water penetration or a leak, please get in touch with OneCALL on 0345 8 507 507. The advisor can then arrange for someone to visit your home. Please provide as much information as possible.
Don’t let condensation settle: wipe it, open it, move it.
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Wipe it: wipe away any water or moisture you see on surfaces such as windows, walls or furniture.
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Open it: open a window when cooking or when taking a hot bath or shower to let the warm, moist air out. Keep air vents open on your windows and always use an extractor fan.
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Move it: move furniture and curtains away from walls and make sure air can circulate in your home so the moist air can escape.
Here are some more tips from our expert:
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Try to keep a constant low heat in your home, to avoid rapid temperature changes, especially in winter. Along with ventilation, this will help avoid moist air evaporating and turning into condensation.
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When cooking, use pan lids. Turn on an extractor fan if you have one and open a window to let the moisture out.
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When taking a bath or shower, leave an extractor fan on if you have one and leave the vents open on your windows.
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After taking a hot bath or shower, open a window to let all the moist warm air out for at least half an hour, and close the bathroom door behind you.
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Keeping internal doors closed when cooking or taking a bath or shower will stop moisture settling elsewhere in your home.
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Move furniture and curtains away from walls and make sure that air vents are open to allow air to circulate.
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Try to dry clothes outside if you can. If not, use clothes airers indoors and dry clothes in the bathroom with the window open and the bathroom door closed.
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Avoid drying clothes on radiators. The moisture from your clothes will evaporate, creating more moist, warm air leading to condensation.
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Wipe down any surfaces whenever you see moisture to avoid mould growth.
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Open windows daily for a few minutes to give the moist, warm air a chance to escape. If you can’t open windows, you can use your window vents.
Think you have rising or penetrating damp? Phone OneCALL on 0345 8 507 507 and please provide as much information as you can to our advisors.
If you already have a small amount of mould on your windowsill or bathroom, you can wipe it away and clean the area with a mould and mildew remover found at most high street shops.
This will ensure the area is fully disinfected, stopping the mould returning straight away.
However, if the mould is repeatedly appearing in large areas, you should report it to us. You can do this by calling OneCALL on 0345 8 507 507. Please provide as much information as possible to our advisors.