tips to prevent damp and mould
Condensation is the most common cause of damp.
A small amount is not usually a problem, but excess condensation can cause black mould to form which can affect your home and your health.
All homes are at risk of condensation, particularly through the winter months.
Here are some everyday tips we can all follow to help prevent excess condensation:
- Heat your home as best you can to reduce condensation and help to dry out damp spaces.
- Ventilate your home by opening windows, using trickle vents, and keeping curtains open during the day.
- Use extractor fans, especially when cooking and bathing.
- Have shorter baths or showers to prevent steam turning to condensation.
- Treat minor mould growth with approved products, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Cover or block trickle ventilation on windows and doors or air bricks.
- Leave condensation on windows, tiles and mirrors. Instead, give them a wipe with a cloth.
- Dry clothes on radiators. If you must, dry small batches and open a window.
- Leave pans and kettles boiling for longer than necessary.
- Overfill cupboards and wardrobes.
- Forget about the least-used rooms. Check them for signs of damp and mould.