Condensation, damp and mould

We take the issue of damp and mould extremely seriously and our focus is working with you to resolve the issues. Making sure your home is safe and comfortable is our highest priority.

Please let us know if you have a concern about damp and mould in your home by contacting our repairs team.

repairs@haighousing.org.uk
020 8685 5777 (option 1)

What is condensation?

Condensation comes from the moisture in the air in your home, this can be from cooking, cleaning, showering and bathing and even breathing. Condensation will form on the coldest surfaces in your home, usually around windows, the corners of the room and external walls.

Condensation mainly occurs during cold weather. It isn’t necessarily a problem, as long as the surface has time to dry out every day. The warmer the air temperature is in your home, the more moisture it can hold.

If condensation is not tackled, it can lead to mould growth.

What is mould?

Mould can occur if there is a lack of ventilation and heating.

Mould grows and multiplies in moist areas, slowly at first, then quicker. It’s normal to have some mould growth in winter, but it’s important you stay on top of it to prevent it getting worse. In most cases, black mould is caused by condensation.

The chances of your home being affected by mould is reduced if you keep your home warm, well ventilated and minimise the amount of moisture that’s released into the air within your home.

What is damp?

There are many forms of damp.

Rising damp is when moisture is able to travel through the dampproof course of your home (just above ground level) and may result in damp up to 1m abover the ground floor.

Penetrating damp is caused when water soaks a wall and travels through into your home. This may be caused by leaks, flooding or defective guttering or by ineffective seals around baths, showers, basins and sinks.

The most common form of damp is from condensation and occurs in moist places that don’t dry out – usually where there is little air movement. Normally, this is controlled by keeping surfaces dry.

Should black mould appear and you can’t remove it with mild bleach, or you notice any other forms of damp described, please report this as a repair.

Help and advice

Here’s what you can do to reduce the chances of damp and mould appearing:

1. Minimise the amount of moisture in your home
  • Dry clothes outside where possible, or in a room (preferably the bathroom) with a window open and doors closed. Only use a tumble dryer if it is venting outside, or has a condenser
  • Never put wet clothes on a radiator – they fill the room with moisture in seconds
  • Keep lids on saucepans when cooking and ventilate the room and keep your extractor fan on
  • Always run the extractor fan or open a window when showering or cooking, and wipe away any excess water on floors, tiling and worktops
  • Keep trickle vents open
  • Run cold water in the bath before adding hot
2. Ventilation
  • Pull all furniture away from walls, including beds
  • Leave a gap between the curtains and the wall during the day
  • Keep air bricks and vents open and clear
  • Don’t add a seal to kitchen and bathroom windows or to windows in rooms that are prone to damp
  • Don’t over-fill cupboards and shelves
  • If possible, open windows to increase ventilation and air your home regularly
  • Don’t overfill your rooms with possessions, furniture and belongings
3. Minimise the number of cold surfaces by heating your home to a reasonable level of warmth
  • It’s recommended to keep living rooms heated to 21 degrees and keep bedrooms at 18 degrees. This temperature can be lower at night or when you are out
4. Wipe down small patches of mould
  • Use an anti-fungal spray purchased from a hardware store (or supermarket) in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. This helps to limit any spread.
5. Wipe down condensation from windows and other areas each morning and open windows for a while
  • Use a cloth or squeegee to remove moisture that’s formed overnight

Contact us

If you are experiencing a damp or mould issue in your home, please report it to our repairs team

repairs@haighousing.org.uk
020 8685 5777 (option 1)