It’s really important to know what damp, mould and condensation is and how you can prevent it and treat minor cases of it in your home.
What's damp, mould and condensation?
Damp is the build up of excess moisture in a building or home. This can be caused by water leaks, structural issues or water from external sources entering the property. If left untreated, this can create the perfect environment for mould growth.
Mould is a fungus that will grow wherever there’s moisture. Mould can appear as black pin pricks on walls, ceilings, sealants and surfaces, and often has a musty smell.
Condensation is when warm air meets cold surfaces, which results in water droplets forming. This can form on surfaces such as glass, walls and tiles.
How can I prevent it?
There’s a few steps you can follow to help prevent damp and mould, prevention is always the best solution:
Ventilate your home
- Leave trickle vents on windows open all year round
- Open your windows slightly, upstairs and downstairs, at opposite ends of the house
- Always use your extractor fan when cooking or bathing
- Keep furniture away from your walls - leave a gap for improved ventilation
Condensation
- Wipe any visible signs of condensation off your windows, tiles and glass surfaces
- If you have extractor fans, always use them when cooking or bathing
- Use lids to cover pots when cooking
You can find more useful tips on prevention on our web page.
How can I treat it?
If you have small amounts of mould in your home on your windowsills or the sealant around your bath or shower, it can be treated.
It’s really quick and easy to get rid of it but it has to be done properly to keep your home safe and to stop it from coming back. You can buy mould remover kits from shops such as B&Q, Toolstation and Wickes.
What if it comes back?
If you've tried to remove the mould and it continues to reappear or get worse, it’s really important that you get in touch with us as soon as possible.
Once mould and damp start to spread, it can become a much bigger problem, and it’s important that we make sure that there aren’t repairs that need to be fixed that might be causing the issue.
It’s really important that you report any issues you’re having with damp and mould, you can do this by calling our hub on 0345 60 20 540.
