Nip damp and mould in the bud
Stop damp and mould in your home
Nobody wants damp or mould in their homes and as the winter weather approaches, we would like to remind you of how to identify the causes, address them where possible, and encourage you to report any persistent mould and damp in your home.
Mould and damp most often links to condensation but may also be caused by other factors. So it’s important that you tell us when you spot it and send us plenty of images and information so we can assess them and book a video call or home visit to give advice, signpost you to helpful guidance or to start treatment and prevention work.
Our staff are trained to be proactive where they see evidence of mould and damp in homes. You also have your part to play and reducing condensation in your home is key – you can help control this by using the guide below. You can also see our practical checklist and more information here.
Cost of heating your home
If you are too worried to use any heating in your home, please apply to us through the Household Support Fund or speak to us.
Whilst you can act to prevent condensation following the guidance in the graphics below, we appreciate that some things may be beyond your control and that’s when you need us.
Air flow
Is the extractor fan or ventilation in your home working properly? If not, please tell us as that will make a surprising amount of difference.
If you do see mould forming, after photographing it and telling us:
1. Clean mould from window frames and walls with a weak bleach solution or fungicidal wash. Wear rubber gloves and ventilate the room while you do it.
2. Mouldy carpets should be shampooed – do not brush or vacuum mould as this puts it in the air and you could breathe it in.
Damp and mould can affect your home in three different ways:
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Penetrating damp
Water can get into your home through an external wall, if there is a building imperfection or where walls have broken down over time. Properties with cavity wall insulation can also be susceptible.
Signs: damp staining on external walls, damp patches on internal walls or ceilings, wet and crumbly plaster or signs of spores or black mould in one area.
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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.
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Condensation damp
Lack of air flow and ventilation in the home is the main cause of condensation. Warm, damp, humid air which is unable to disperse outside, will begin to form water on cold indoor surfaces such as windows, tiles and walls.
Signs: water droplets on windows or walls. Decaying window frames with stained and wet corners. Damp walls, peeling wallpaper or damaged plaster, musty/damp smell and black mould on walls, curtains, carpets and window sills.
Also look around your property and if you see a toilet/cold water storage tank overflow pipe leaking onto an external wall at a high level please let us know.