Is damp or condensation causing mould in your home?

Condensation

Think of how mirrors mist over when you’re taking a bath or windows steam up when you’re cooking.

Condensation forms if there’s too much moisture in the air, the air in your home is cold or can’t circulate properly. It will appear as drops of water on windows, walls, ceilings or other hard surfaces and, if not wiped away regularly, can cause mould.

Damp

Penetrating damp is caused by leaking pipes or rainwater getting into your home through cracked or missing roof tiles, blocked gutters or cracks in brickwork, plaster or gaps around window frames.

Rising damp comes from a failed damp proof course or where there is no damp-proof course. These causes of damp often leave a ‘tidemark’ or stain.

Repairs or adding a damp course should solve the problem but you may need expert help.

If you rent your home from a private or social housing landlord, you should contact your landlord and report any problems with damp, mould, poor ventilation, or home repairs. You can also complain to Salford City Council.

If you don’t have penetrating or rising damp then your problem is almost certainly condensation.

How to reduce condensation

Keep your home warm

• Loft insulation, cavity wall insulation and draughtproofing windows and outside doors will help keep your home warm. Low background heating will also help and a thermostat will control heating and costs.
• Secondary and double glazing of windows reduces heat loss and draughts, but ensure there is some ventilation.
• See our Warm Salford information or our cost of living pages if you are concerned about energy efficiency or heating bills

Reduce moisture in the air

• Close the kitchen or bathroom door when using the room to stop moisture reaching other rooms
• Keep lids on pans when you’re cooking and don’t leave kettles boiling
• Don’t use a gas cooker to heat a room
• Use an extractor fan or open a window when cooking, showering or bathing
• Don’t block air vents
• Wipe up condensation when it happens
• Dry clothes outside when possible
• If you use a tumble dryer make sure the air vents outside your home unless it’s a self-condensing type
• Make sure air can circulate by leaving gaps between the furniture and the wall and try to avoid putting furniture against outside (colder) walls

Dealing with mould

Mould can be treated with bleach or fungicidal wash but the only lasting way of avoiding mould is to get rid of the dampness.

Clothes affected by mildew can be dry cleaned and affected carpets shampooed.

Disturbing mould by brushing, cleaning or vacuum cleaning can increase the risk of breathing problems; consider wearing a mask when treating it.