Condensation and Mould
One of the most common causes of dampness in buildings is condensation, which can lead to the appearance of mould growth. It is the presence of water condensed on walls, ceilings and other cold surfaces, which support mould growth.
Condensation mainly occurs during cold weather, regardless of whether it is raining or dry. It tends to appear on cold surfaces and places where there is little or no movement of air, in the corners of rooms near windows or behind cupboards and wardrobes.
What you can do to prevent condensation
- Put lids on saucepans.
- Dry clothes outside where possible.
- If using a tumble dryer make sure it is vented to the outside or open a window.
- Put a small amount of cold water in the bath before you turn on the hot tap.
- Do not run your shower for longer than needed.
- Mop up any condensation or water every day to stop it developing into mould.
- Shut kitchen and bathroom doors when cooking or bathing and for a minimum of 15 minutes afterwards.
- Use cooker hoods and extractor fans or open a window whilst cooking.
- If your only option is to dry your clothes inside, use a room with an extractor fan or open a window and keep the door closed.
Heating your Home
- It is important to heat your home, even in rooms that are not used.
- Heat your home more evenly i.e. low level of heating all day rather than quick blasts when necessary – this should also help keep your heating bills lower.
- Use thermostats to control your heating.
Ventilate your Home
- Keep a small window ajar or window trickle vents open at all times whilst in the property.
- Ventilate kitchens and bathrooms when in use by opening windows to remove the humid air.
- Use extractor fans.
- Close kitchen and bathroom doors when fans are in use and keep shut even after use.
- Make sure other doors are closed, especially bedroom doors as they are normally slightly colder and will attract moisture.
- Ventilate cupboards and wardrobes and avoid overfilling as this stops the air circulating.
- Keep furniture away from walls and allow air to circulate.
Mould
The most common places to find mould are:
- Around your windows
- In-between tiles in your bathroom or kitchen
- Around your bath, shower and sinks
Mould can develop for many reasons, but one of the main ones is due to condensation not being wiped away, and this can cause bacteria to become trapped and develop into mould. If this happens, the quicker you act, the easier it is to get rid of.
There are a lot of mould treatments on the market and you can find these at any standard supermarket. Most come in a form of spray and can be used by spraying onto the affected area and wiping away with a warm damp cloth. Once treated, make sure to dry out the area. Please always follow the instruction if you chose to use a mould treatment.
In certain cases, some tenants may experience mould on their walls or ceiling. If this happened, do not try wipe this away (as this may cause damage to the paint), but instead let our team know at YourNest and if possible, send a photo through to us so we can review the best cause of action.