Help to Prevent Damp & Mould
Tweet |
Fri 22 Jan 2016
Damp is the presence of unwanted moisturein the structure of a building. Often manifesting itself in ugly dark patches of mould and grime on walls, floors and ceilings, damp can wreak havoc on the structure of a home, and repairing the damage can cost a great deal of money. In short, it’s no laughing matter.
What causes damp?
As it gets colder outside, temperatures inside houses start to rise as homeowners and tenants put the heating on and then try to keep warm for as long as possible by keeping all doors and windows tightly closed. This is great for keeping us toastie and snug, but it can cause problems.
Warm air trapped inside a house without a means of escape will start to form condensation on surfaces colder than the dew point of the air outside, leading to the moisture you often see building up on windows and walls. This can lead to what’s known as ‘condensation damp’, the most common type in the UK. It’s estimated that around 1 in 5 homes in the UK are affected by this type of damp.
Condensation forming on a window may be an early indicator of damp.
How can you protect your home?
One of the most crucial factors in preventing damp is allowing good circulation of air. In winter, we tend to try to conserve as much heat as possible, keeping heating on, and windows and doors closed. The indoor humidity created when the radiators are on has nowhere to go and starts contributing to damp. In order to allow good circulation…
…try to keep windows open for short, intermittent periods each day.
If your radiators are on, they’ll still be adding to the interior humidity, even if a window is open. To minimise the humidity they create…
…have your radiators on at lower heat for longer periods.
Another common problem that contributes to damp during winter is drying laundry. When the weather is too bad to allow you to dry your clothes outdoors, shirts and socks end up on the radiators, releasing moisture into the house. Try to take of advantage of any clear, windy days to…
…dry your laundry outside as often as possible. Alternatively, dry them in the bathroom with the window open and the door shut.
As you might expect, water vapour is one of the worst contributors to dampness in the home and can be generated by a number of sources. To mitigate this, when taking a bath or shower, you should always do so with the window open, or with the extractor fan on if one is installed. Likewise, in the kitchen, try not to boil the kettle longer than is necessary, and keep lids on boiling pans where possible. In short…
…keep the amount of steam and water vapour in your home to a minimum.
What else can you do?
If you believe damp or mould is present in your home, speak to us or your landlord immediately after ensuring the above has been adhered to. The sooner the problem is identified, the sooner it can be addressed, and if you don’t make us or your landlord aware in a reasonable timeframe, it could be you who has to foot the bill for redecoration!
What we as managing agents or landlords can do.
We will make regular checks of the property, and look for signs of mould during every inspection. This is often where issues such as damp are noted, allowing us to deal with them before they become a problem.
With damp it pays to be vigilant. If you suspect it may be present, contact us to get it checked out immediately.
News Archive
March 2022
5 Ways To Spruce Your Home For Spring
December 2021
Brown & Cockerill Named Best Agent In The West Midlands Region By Relocation Agent Network
October 2021
Maintaining you rental property this winter
Rents rise at fastest rate for 13 years
Why Autumn is a good time to make the move
A guide for first time tenants
September 2021
Why You Should Rent Through A Reputable Agent
Top tips on being ready to sell your property
August 2021
Lettings market records its strongest month
How has the property market been impacted after the stamp duty changes?
July 2021
Common mistakes when selling your home and how to avoid them
Top tips on increasing the rental value of your property
Property price predictions for the rest of 2021
June 2021
Choosing the right lettings agents
A beginner's guide to selling a property
A guide on buy-to-let mortgages
Everything you need to know about the Stamp Duty changes
May 2021
Tips for renting out a property
How to maximise your house value in the current climate
Restaurants to Visit in Rugby, Warwickshire
April 2021
Five top tips for getting your garden spring-ready ...
What The Government’s 95% Mortgage Scheme Means For Buyers
January 2021
“What should you spend time and money on when improving your property?”
November 2019
National Estate Agent Conference
April 2019
What is the difference between Outline and Full Planning Permission?
February 2019
Best Ways To Increase Your Rental Property's Energy Efficiency
January 2019
Shared Ownership - What is it?
October 2018
Taxes Payable by Landlords & Investors - A Guide
August 2018
We win GOLD for the 3rd year running.
May 2018
The Facts - Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
February 2018
Relocation Experts Recognised at Brown & Cockerill Estate Agents
November 2017
Chancellor abolishes Stamp Duty for First-Time Buyers in England and Wales in his Budget
The Team Attends National Estate Agency Conference and Exhibition.
September 2017
Brown & Cockerill win Silver at National British Property Awards
It's Official - We are the Best in Rugby!
July 2017
The Pros and Cons of 'Online' Estate Agents
Top tips for reducing condensation
May 2017
The importance of your credit rating when applying for a mortgage
Thinking about selling but worried about the length of your lease?
April 2017
Tenant Referencing - what you need to consider
March 2017
How to Spot and Tackle Japanese Knotweed
February 2017
10 things to do before applying for a mortgage
HOUSING WHITE PAPER: The Key Points
January 2017
Woodworm Treatment - The ins and outs that you need to know
December 2016
Selling Your House? Don't Wait for the New Year!
August 2016
Brown & Cockerill Offer Clients a Relocation Agent Specialist
July 2016
Brown & Cockerill win GOLD for Best Estate Agent in RUGBY!
June 2016
Lettings: A Guide to Deposit Protection Schemes
Property Jargon Buster - a glossary of terms
May 2016
Thinking of Buying a Second Home? a guide to stamp duty changes.
April 2016
Rents Rising Across Most of the UK
March 2016
Brown & Cockerill Help Home-Movers to Celebrate!
February 2016
FEBRUARY is here which means it is the month of LOVE
This Year We Are Celebrating Our 20th Anniversary !
January 2016
Do your tenants have the Right to Rent?
December 2015
Buying or selling a property with asbestos?
Gazundering: A guide to what it means and how to avoid it!
November 2015
The Team Attends National Estate Agency Conference
View older stories >