Dealing with condensation, damp and mould in your property | Aspire life | Aspire Housing

Written by Admin | Jan 21, 2022 12:30:46 PM

Condensation, damp and mould can be a problem for a lot of us. But there are a few great tips you can take on board to prevent it from happening.

What is condensation, damp and mould?

Condensation is water that collects as droplets on a cold surface when humid air comes into contact. It also leads to mould, just like dampness. This is probably the most common form of moisture in a home. Lack of adequate ventilation allied with modern occupancy lifestyles in terms of cooking, washing and bathing can lead to a build-up of excessive humidity and moisture within the property.

Damp is caused by excess moisture in a home and can then lead onto mould and mildew appearing on your walls, windows frames, skirting boards, floors and furniture. This causes damage to the interior of a home. It appears as lots of black dots, forming large clouds across the surfaces.

This is a problem because if left untreated, condensation can result in peeling decorations, unsightly mould growth and damage to fabrics and clothing, particularly in areas with little air circulation.

What types of damp and mould are there?

Penetrating damp: When moisture enters your home because of an external defect (for example a crack in a wall or missing roof tile).

Rising damp: Usually when a property’s Damp Proof Course (DPC) or membrane fails and moisture from the ground rises and damages plaster finishes and decoration.

Try to	Try not to
Heat your property as best you can. By doing this you can help to dry out damp spaces.	Cover or block trickle ventilation or air bricks within your home.
Ventilate your property, particularly when cooking and bathing. Keep other doors in the house shut to prevent loss of heat and spreading of condensation around the house.	Isolate or switch off the extractor fans in the kitchen or bathroom. Keep the moisture in the air as low as possible!
Remove excess moisture from cool surfaces to prevent mould spores from germinating.	Leave condensation on windows or frames, give your windows a wipe with a cloth, especially in the mornings.
Consider occupancy levels within your home and the humidity levels generated.	Dry large volumes of clothes on radiators, particularly during winter months. You can risk mould and also rusty radiators.
Clean areas of minor mould growth with an approved Mould & Mildew treatment in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.	Leave kitchen and bathroom doors open when in use.

How to prevent condensation-related mould (minor areas)?

Try treating minor areas with an approved mould and mildew treatment.
Increasing ventilation mechanically/naturally, particularly when cooking or bathing, can help with this.
Reposition furniture where practical in affected areas.
There is a quality fungicidal paint to prevent mould spores from germinating once the mould has been treated, so could help with this issue. Strip any contaminated wallpaper – this is usually necessary.

If you have followed the advice given within this guide and feel that your property is continuing to suffer from condensation or moderate/severe mould growth, please contact Aspire Housing’s Customer Service Centre on (01782) 635200. You can also find out more information by going to our web page here.

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