This autumn, take hold of damp and mould!

The presence of damp and mould in the home can affect the immune system, and lead to serious health issues such as respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies or asthma. But what causes damp and mould?

Condensation is one of the leading causes of damp in houses. It occurs mainly in the autumn and winter months and is normally seen in the corners of rooms, near windows, or found on walls behind furniture where air cannot easily circulate. Condensation is caused when warm moist air meets a colder surface, causing water droplets to form which can soak into woodwork, paintwork and wallpaper. Over time mould growth can appear on these damp surfaces.

To prevent damp and mould in the home, it’s important to reduce the moisture in the air which causes condensation. However, moisture in the air is unavoidable. Daily activities such as showering, cooking, and even breathing all produce moisture and can contribute to condensation.

The good news is that there are five main things that can be done at home to help lessen condensation:

1. Produce less moisture – dry clothes and vent tumble dryers outside, cover pans when cooking and avoid using paraffin or bottled gas heaters.
2. Remove excess moisture – wipe the windows and sills in your house (particularly in bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens) every morning with a dry cloth to remove any condensation.
3. Ventilate – let the warm moist air out and the cool dry air in by opening a window slightly for a short period of time or using the trickle vents fitted to new UPVC windows. It’s advised to also leave a gap between the walls and furniture to allow air to circulate.
4. Keep your home a little warmer – it is more effective to run your heating at a constant low background level (around 18°C) rather than turning your heating on and off throughout the day.
5. Insulate your home – this helps to keep your home warm and reduces costs.

Mark Winn, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Homelessness and Regulatory Services, commented:

“With households wanting to keep their bills down this winter, many people may be considering limiting how much they use the central heating. But a cold and poorly ventilated home can soon become a damp home, especially when you're hanging washing to dry inside too. Following the top tips on our website about how to reduce moisture in your home is the best way to prevent condensation which could lead to damp and mould.”

Other types of dampness include rising damp (when moisture from the ground rises into the home), penetrating damp (caused by water passing through the external walls or roof of a property due to disrepair) and damp from faulty plumbing (such as leaks from water or waste pipes, especially from bathrooms or kitchens). All these types of damp can happen at any point in the year, whatever the outside weather conditions, and can also lead to harmful mould growth.

Mark continued:

“Like other authorities following the coroner’s ruling on Awaab Ishak’s death – which was caused by prolonged exposure to mould in a housing association flat in Rochdale – Buckinghamshire Council is committed to informing and encouraging landlords, property owners and residents to address damp and mould issues.

“On the council’s website there is essential information about how to treat mould if it is present in your home. If you live in rented accommodation, and this includes either private rented and housing association, and you believe your property is affected by damp which you are unable to manage through our tips to manage excess moisture, please contact your landlord and ask them to investigate. If you don’t get a timely or satisfactory response, then our Environmental Health team can inspect your property to ensure your landlord is taking the matter seriously and has a plan to take action.

“We understand that some residents might have difficulty or be concerned with paying for their energy. If that is the case, there is help available. For example, your energy company may have particular schemes to help you and really good advice can be found on our website.”

For more information on keeping your home free from damp and mould or to report a problem with your housing conditions, visit: buckinghamshire.gov.uk/prevent-damp