Damp/Mould
My home is damp/mould is growing what should I do?
Damp and mould is quite often caused by condensation, the following three steps will help you avoid condensation in your home.
Produce less moisture:
Some ordinary daily activities produce a lot of moisture very quickly:
Cover pans and try not to leave kettles boiling
Avoid using paraffin and portable flueless bottled gas heaters as these heaters put a lot of moisture into the air.
Dry washing outdoors on a line, or put it in the bathroom with the door closed and the window open or fan on.
Vent any tumble dryer on the outside, unless it is the self-condensing type. DIY kits are available for this.
Ventilate to remove moisture
You can ventilate your home without making draughts.
Keep a small window ajar or the trickle vent open when someone is in the room. Ventilate kitchens and bathrooms when in use by opening the windows wider.
Close the kitchen and bathroom doors when the rooms are in use, even if they have an extractor fan.
Heat your home
When the whole home is warmer, condensation is less likely.
In cold weather, keep low background heating on all day, even when there is no-one at home.
Steps against Mould:
First treat any mould you may already have in your home. If you then deal with the basic problem of condensation, mould should not reappear.
To kill and remove mould, wipe down walls and window frames with a fungicidal was which carries a Heath & Safety Executive “approval number”. Follow the manufacturers’ instructions precisely. Dry-clean mildewed clothes and shampoo carpets.
After treatment, redecorate using a good quality fungicidal paint to help prevent mould recurring. Note that this paint is not effective if overlaid with ordinary paints or wallpaper.
If you are unsure about how to deal with mould please contact our Asset Management team on 01603 731699 for further advice.