Keep your home free from mould and damp
Is your home damp?
Damp can cause mould on walls and furniture and make window
frames rot. Damp, cold housing encourages the growth of mould
and mites. Mites feed on moulds and both can increase the risk of
respiratory illnesses in some people.
Some damp is caused by condensation. This leaflet explains how
condensation forms and how you can keep it to a minimum, so
reducing the risk of dampness and mould growth.
First steps against condensation
You will need to take proper steps to deal with the condensation, but
meanwhile there are some measures you can take right away.
Wipe down the windows and cills every morning.Wring out the cloth rather
than drying it on a radiator.
Condensation channels and sponge strips can be bought at DIY shops.They
are fitted to windows to collect the condensation and thus help prevent
window frames from rotting and avoid damp forming under the cills. Care
must be taken to fit these devices properly.
First steps against mould
First treat the mould already in your home. If you deal with the basic problem,
mould should not reappear.
To kill and remove mould, wipe down walls and window frames with a
fungicidal wash which carries a Health and Safety Executive ‘approval number’.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions precisely. Dry-clean mildewed clothes,
and shampoo carpets. Disturbing mould by brushing or vacuum cleaning can
increase the risk of respiratory problems.
After treatment redecorate using a good quality fungicidal paint to help
prevent mould. Note that this paint is not effective if overlaid with ordinary
paints or wallpaper.When wallpapering, use a paste containing a fungicide to
prevent further mould growth.
The only lasting way of avoiding severe mould is to eliminate dampness.
Is it condensation?
Condensation is not the only cause of damp. It
can also come from:
- Leaking pipes, wastes or overflows.
- Rain seeping through the roof where a tile
- or slate is missing, spilling from a blocked
gutter, water penetration around window
frames, or leaking through a cracked pipe.
- Rising damp due to a defective or missing
damp-course or because there is no dampcourse.
These causes of damp often leave a ‘tidemark’
and you should have the necessary repairs
carried out to remove the source of damp. If
your home is Council owned this work will be
undertaken by the Council’s contractors.
Contact the Maintenance Office to report any
repairs.
If your home is newly built it may be damp
because the water used during its construction
(e.g. in plaster) is still drying out.
If your home is damp for any of these reasons it
may take weeks of heating and ventilating to dry
out. Hiring a dehumidifier will help.
If you do not think the damp comes from any of
these causes, it is probably condensation.
What is condensation?
There is always some moisture in the air, even if
you cannot see it. If the air gets colder it cannot
hold all the moisture and tiny drops of water
appear. This is condensation. You may notice it
when you see your breath on a cold day, or
when the mirror mists over when you have a
bath.
Condensation occurs mainly during cold
weather, whether it is raining or dry. It does not
leave a ‘tidemark’. It appears in places where
there is little movement of air. Look for it in
corners, on or near windows, in or behind
wardrobes and cupboards. It often forms on
north-facing walls.
How to avoid condensation
These four steps will help you reduce the
condensation in your home.
1. PRODUCE LESS MOISTURE
Some ordinary daily activities produce a lot
of moisture very quickly.
- Cooking: To reduce the amount of moisture,
cover pans and do not leave kettles boiling.
Paraffin and portable flueless bottled-gas
heaters: These heaters put a lot of moisture
into the air - one gallon of gas or paraffin
produces about a gallon of water. If you have
a problem with condensation, try to find
alternative means of heating.
- Washing clothes: Put washing outdoors to
dry if you can. Or put it in the bathroom
with the door closed and the window open
or fan on. It is best to fit a fan that can be
switched to run continuously for clothes
drying. If you have a tumble dryer make sure
you vent it to the outside (unless it is the
self-condensing type). DIY kits are available
for this.
2. VENTILATE TO REMOVE THE
MOISTURE
You can ventilate your home without making
draughts.
Some ventilation is needed to get rid of
moisture being produced all the time,
including that from people’s breath. Keep a
small window ajar or a trickle ventilator
open all the time if possible, and especially
when someone is in the room.
- You need much more ventilation in the
kitchen and bathroom when cooking,
washing up, bathing and drying clothes. This
means opening the widows wider.
Alternatively, use a humidistat-controlled
electric fan (these come on automatically
when the air becomes humid and are cheap
to run).
- Close the kitchen and bathroom doors when
these rooms are in use even if your kitchen
or bathroom has an extractor fan. It will help
to draughtproof these doors. Doing this will
help stop the moisture reaching other
rooms, especially bedrooms, which are often
colder and more likely to get condensation.
- Allow space for the air to circulate in and
around your furniture. Open doors to
ventilate cupboards and wardrobes. Leave
space between the backs of wardrobes and
the wall. Where possible, position wardrobes
and furniture against internal walls, i.e. walls
which have a room on both sides, rather than
against outside walls.
- When you have a curtain or blind drawn, it
makes the surface of the window cooler and
increases condensation, especially with single
glazed windows. Trickle ventilators can help
reduce the problem. If you replace your
windows at any time, make sure they are
double glazed and fitted with trickle
ventilators. Council owned properties will
have trickle ventilators fitted to each room as
standard when new replacement windows
are provided. However, trickle ventilators
will not be provided if windows are not due
to be replaced.
3. INSULATE AND DRAUGHTPROOF
- Insulation in the loft, cavity wall insulation and
draughtproofing of windows and outside
doors will help keep your home warm and
you will have lower fuel bills as well. When
the whole home is warmer, condensation is
less likely to occur.
When draughtproofing:
- Do not block permanent ventilators.
- Do not completely block chimneys (leave a
hole about two bricks in size and fit a
louvred grille over it).
- Do not draughtproof rooms where there is
a fuel burning heater (e.g. gas fire) or cooker. Do not draughtproof windows in the
bathroom or kitchen.
- If you live in a house, insulating your loft is a
cost-effective way of cutting heating costs.
Remember to draughtproof the loft hatch
but do not block any eaves ventilation.
Cavity wall insulation is also an effective way
of cutting heating costs. Many properties,
however, are built without suitable cavities. If
you are in doubt, you should seek the advice
of a building professional. Grants for
insulation may be available through Eaga
Partnership.
- Secondary glazing of windows reduces heat
loss and draughts but you must ensure that
there is some ventilation and adequate
means of escape in an emergency such as a
fire. Remember that any alteration to your
windows, including their replacement, must
meet the relevant requirements of the Building Regulations. You should consult your
local authority on the need for Building
Regulation permission before any work is
undertaken.
4. HEAT YOUR HOME A LITTLE MORE
- In cold weather, the best way to keep rooms
warm enough to avoid condensation is to
keep low background heating on all day, even
when there is no-one at home. This is very
important in flats and bungalows and other
dwellings where the bedrooms are not above
a warm living room. If you have central
heating set it to provide background warmth
in all rooms including unused rooms.
- Otherwise install suitable thermostaticallycontrolled
heaters where necessary (do not use paraffin or flueless bottled gas heaters
for this purpose). The thermostats will help
control heating and costs. Remember to
provide background ventilation at the same
time.
Dehumidifiers will help dry out damp in
newly built houses. They can also help
reduce condensation but they are less
effective in cold damp rooms.
Points to remember
Remove mould
Reduce moisture:
- Cover pans
- Dry clothes outdoors
- Vent your tumble dryer to the outside
- Avoid using paraffin or flueless bottled
gas heaters
Ventilate to remove moisture:
- Ventilate all the time, especially when
someone is in
- Increase ventilation of the kitchen and
bathroom when in use and shut the door
- Ventilate cupboards, wardrobes and
blocked chimneys
Insulate and draughtproof:
- Insulate the loft
- Draughtproof windows and external
doors
- Consider cavity wall insulation
- Consider secondary glazing
- Find out if you are eligible for a grant or
other help
Heat your home a little more:
- If possible, keep low background heat on
all day, with background ventilation
- Find out about benefits, rebates and help
with fuel bills
Further information
If you own your own home or rent it from a private landlord and if you are over 60 or have a child under
16 and receive an income-related benefit or Disability Living allowance or other eligible benefit, you may
be able to get an Energy Efficiency grant that includes draught proofing and loft insulation under the
Warm Front Scheme.
For information on grants under the Warm Front Scheme contact:
Eaga Partnership
Customer Services Manager, Freepost NEA 12054, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE2 1BR
(no stamp required)
Phone number: 0800 316 2814 (Monday-Friday 8am-6pm, closed bank holidays)
Email: enquiry@eaga.co.uk
Website: www.eaga.co.uk
If you are an owner-occupier or private tenant you may be eligible for a discretionary improvement or
repair loan for works to cure damp and improve ventilation and heating from Dover District Council.
If you are renting your property from a private landlord and you believe that repairs are required or
there is insufficient heating or insulation you should contact the council’s Private Sector Housing team.
Further information is available at www.dover.gov.uk/privatesectorhousing
For information on energy efficiency in Council tenanted properties, or you have a repair request,
contact the Maintenance Office:
Phone number: 01304 872299
Email: maintenance@dover.gov.uk
For advice and help on insulation and heating contact:
Dover District Council: 01304 872218
Kent Energy Centre: 0800 358 6669
Energy Saving Trust: 0845 727 7200
Your gas or electricity supply company, Energy Watch and the Post Office can provide advice about
budget schemes such as fuel saving stamps that spread the cost of heating. Advisory leaflets are also
available from the council offices, libraries, etc.
E-mail: energy@dover.gov.uk
