Preventing Damp & Mould

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. Most mould growth people will experience is most likely to be the result of condensation, however some instances mould may be the result of damp.

Below you can find some information about damp and mould in the property, looking at the main sources and some helpful tips for how to minimise damp, condensation and mould in your home.

What causes damp and mould?

Damp and mould are a common household problem, and they are often caused by excess moisture. Moisture in properties can be caused by a number of things such as leaking pipes, rising damp from the ground, a damaged roof, window frames and also from condensation caused by a lack of heating and ventilation.

How you can prevent damp and mould:

To prevent damp and mould you will need to reduce the levels of humidity and condensation throughout 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

What can contribute to the cause of damp and mould?

Damp is simply an excess of moisture that can't escape. While mould needs this damp environment to grow.

The three main causes of damp in the home:

1. Condensation - This is caused by moist, warm air condensing on cold surfaces, particularly in rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens.
2. Humidity - This is a major cause of damp in homes. Humidity comes from household activities such as showering, cooking, drying your clothes indoors and poor ventilation.
3. 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, please report them to us, so we can send one of our multi-skilled trade operatives to undertake the required repairs

Preventing damp and mould

If you would like more information on how to tackle damp and condensation, please watch the video below.