Damp and mould
Tips on how to reduce condensation and how to report damp and mould.
Rising damp | Damp and mould
Nobody wants damp or mould in their home. We want to remind you how to spot the causes, take action where you can, and let us know about any persistent problems.
Damp and mould are usually caused by condensation, but other factors can play a role too. That’s why it’s important to report any issues you see. Please include photos and details so we can assess the situation. We may then arrange a video call or home visit to give advice, guide you to helpful resources, or start treatment and prevention work. You can find the reporting form at the bottom of this page.
Our team is trained to act quickly when they see signs of damp or mould. You also have a role to play — reducing condensation in your home is key. The tips below will show you how to help prevent it.
Tips on preventing condensation
In the winter months, you can expect to see a greater chance of condensation build up within your home because of the outside air temperature dropping much lower compared to the summer. It is important that you ensure you are following steps so condensation within the home can be managed affectively to help prevent mould growth in your home. You can see our condensation, damp and mould leaflet here where there is more information on preventing condensation.
Whilst you can act to prevent condensation following the guidance below, we appreciate that some things may be beyond your control and that’s when you need us.
Use pan lids when cooking
This will ensure that you reduce the moisture content created when cooking or boiling water.
Always use your extractor fans
Extractor fans are designed to reduce and remove moisture that is created when cooking, bathing, showering, or sleeping. Always allow an extra 15-20 minutes to clear any remaining humidity within your home.
Use your heating
Ensuring you maintain a constant temperature in your home will help prevent condensation build up in your home. Try to maintain your home at a temperature of 18 degrees celsius in the winter months.
Keep your doors closed
Make sure you keep your kitchen and bathroom doors closed whilst cooking, bathing, showering and once finished as the moisture can travel between rooms and begin to form condensation in colder parts of your home.
Wipe away the condensation
Keeping on top of wiping away any moisture in your home will help prevent condensation. In winter, you can expect to see a greater chance of condensation build-up in your home because of the outside air temperature dropping lower. It is important that you follow these steps so condensation can be managed effectively to help prevent mould growth in your home. This includes wiping away condensation that has formed on your windows during the night, this should be done each morning during the winter. There are some very handy products on the market that can wipe away and extract the moisture in seconds from your windows, walls, and tiles.
Adequate ventilation
Not allowing air to stagnate within the home is vital to help prevent mould growth. Please ensure you leave gaps for air circulation around furniture in all rooms, open your windows to allow a change of air and ensure your ventilation systems are switched on and in use.
Do not overfill wardrobes and cupboards
Items in these can suffer from mould growth due to a lack of ventilation if the air is not able to freely circulate inside. It’s always good to ensure your furniture doors are frequently opened, not overfilled and items are repositioned to help remove stagnated air.
Try to dry your clothes outside
Drying clothes on a radiator will increase the humidity within your home and lead to an increase in the moisture within the air. Please try to dry as much washing outdoors or dry within your bathroom with the window open and the door firmly shut until the washing is completely dry.
Cost of heating your home
It is important to maintain the temperature of your home using your heating – 18 degrees is best in winter. If you are too worried to use any heating in your home, please apply to us through our household support fund or speak to us.
Types of damp and mould
Click on the images below to learn about each type of damp and mould problem and how to identify them.
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Rising damp
Water in the ground can enter a property by travelling up through the pores in brick work.
Signs: tidemark damp stains on internal walls up to 1.2 metres above the skirting boards. Salt-contaminated plaster - a powdery white substance. Cracked, damp or decaying skirting boards. Peeling or flaking paint, damp wallpaper, black mould on skirting boards. Similar signs on external walls
If you are at all worried – tell us!
We take this very seriously. If you report damp or mould, please use this form below and upload as many images as possible. Then we can book a video call if we have further queries and get started with addressing the problem.
After reporting the mould to us and sending photos, please:
1. Clean mould from window frames and walls with a weak diluted bleach solution or fungicidal wash. Wear rubber gloves and ventilate the room while you do it.
2. Shampoo any mouldy carpets – do not brush or vacuum mould as this puts it in the air and you could breathe it in.