Condensation and mould

What is condensation and mould?

Condensation happens when moisture in the air meets a cold surface. A build-up of condensation in your home can lead to serious problems with mould which can impact on your health and the condition of your home. Mould can grow in any home, on any surface, so if you spot any mould in your home it is important to take early action as it can spread quickly. The good news is that most problems with mould can be sorted out quickly if you find out where the mould is growing and clear it away. Below are some simple steps you can take to reduce the condensation that causes it to come back.

Treating the cause of mould

If you do not treat the cause, the mould will keep growing back repeatedly. Reducing the main cause of mould in your home can be done by managing three things:

reducing moisture in the air
ventilation
heating

By following the easy steps below, you can eliminate mould from your home.

Reducing moisture in the air

You cannot always avoid adding moisture into the air, for example, when you cook or wash. In an average night, when asleep you can release a pint of moisture into the air just from breathing.

There are plenty of simple steps you can take to reduce the amount of moisture:

Laundry

Dry clothes outside where possible, or in a room (preferably the bathroom) with a window open, or extractor fan running, and doors closed. Only use a tumble dryer if it is venting outside or has a condenser.
Avoid blocking radiator heat with wet clothes and washing. It makes a massive difference if you use a clotheshorse or airer.

Kitchen and bathroom

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
Never use your gas cooker to heat your kitchen as it produces moisture when burning gas.
Run the cold water in the bath first to reduce steam by 90%.

Your home

Dry condensation from your windows and sills each morning. Wring out the cloth rather than leaving it to dry on a radiator.
You can buy condensation channels/sponge strips in DIY shops, which when fitted to windows, collect moisture.
Trickle vents must remain open
Check your house thoroughly for any leaks or cracks that could be bringing excess moisture into the home. If you do find anything, you can report it through MyHome.

Ventilating your home

Ventilation allows air to flow through your home. Condensation builds up when the moisture in the air cannot escape.

Your home

Keep a window ajar where possible, even if just for a little while each day.
Open two windows at the same time on different sides of your home for around 30 minutes. If inside room doors are open at the same time it helps air to circulate.
If possible, place furniture against internal walls not outside ones which are much colder. Try to leave a gap between the wall and furniture to allow air to circulate around.
Leave a gap between the curtains and the wall during the day
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
Don't overfill your rooms with possessions, furniture and belongings.
Take care to avoid over ventilating your home. Too much cold air coming in will increase your heating costs and cause the temperature in the home to drop and increase condensation. It is all about getting the balance right.

Bathroom and Kitchen

When you bath or shower: keep the extractor fan running and the windows shut or open bathroom windows to allow moisture to escape
Make sure window vents are always open
When you cook in the kitchen use your cooker hood or extractor fan if you have one, leaving a window slightly ajar and close doors to the rest of the house.

Heating your home

Heating

Aim to get the right heating in the right places of your home. If your home is under-heated then you are more likely to have issues with condensation. Use your thermostat to help you keep heating at a steady temperature when rooms are in use (between 18-21 degrees Celsius is ideal). Try to find a comfortable setting that will give you the heat you need and does not increase your heating costs. In rooms that produce a lot of moisture, such as the bathroom or kitchen, having your heating on a constant low temperature can be very effective.

Struggling to heat your home?

Having a cold house can make damp and mould worse. We know for many you will be worried about the cost of heating your home this winter and struggling to pay your bills. Not only do we not want you to struggle in silence with the cost of living, but we also do not want this to impact on your home or health. We have staff and services available, access them here.

Tips for clearing mould

Do:

Open windows in the room you are cleaning but shut the door.
Wear protective gloves and a face mask, along with old clothes that you do not mind throwing away after removing the mould.
Use a domestic cleaning product or mould remover from a supermarket, DIY store or high street retailer as these are specifically designed to tackle mould. There may be some natural products such as vinegar or baking soda that may help to tackle mould
Carefully follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and safety instructions for any product or mould remover you use.
After clearing the mould, clean and wet wipe all surfaces in the room to remove spores that have spread. Dry any surfaces to remove excess moisture after cleaning.

Do not:

Use a vacuum cleaner on the affected area as this can cause it to spread further by transferring mould spores.
Use bleach as this can sometimes make the situation worse.
Use washing up liquid as it will not be strong enough to do the job.

How to report damp and mould

If you find that none of the above tips resolve the damp or mould in your home, it can be reported through our self-service portal MyHome. Damp and mould can occur for various reasons, and we'd like to know so we can investigate why the issue isn't going away, check if any repairs can be made and give you advice.

What are we doing to manage damp and mould?

Our position and plan for improvements in managing damp and mould.