Is there damp, condensation or mould in your home?

What is condensation?

Condensation happens if there’s too much moisture in the air, the air in your home is cold or can’t move around the room properly. You will see drops of water on windows, walls, ceilings or on worktops/tables and if this is not wiped away with a cloth as this can cause mould.

How to reduce condensation

Keep your home warm

• Insulating your loft with material in your roof space will help to trap heat, filling the gaps between your external and internal walls (cavity walls) will help stop warmth escaping to the outside and stopping air leaks coming in from poorly fitted windows and outside doors will also help keep your home warm.
• Low background heating will help and a temperature control thermostat will also help control heating and costs.
• Secondary and double glazing of windows will reduce heat loss and draughts (air leaks from the outside), but make sure there is some air circulating in the room by opening windows or doors.
• See our Warm Salford information or our cost of living pages if you are concerned about energy efficiency or heating bills

How to reduce moisture in the air

• Close the kitchen or bathroom door when using the room to stop moisture getting into 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 on window frames or
• Dry clothes outside when possible
• If you use a tumble dryer make sure the air vent is outside your home
• Make sure air can move around the room by leaving gaps between the furniture and the wall.
• Try to avoid putting furniture against outside (colder) walls

What is damp?

There are two types of damp:

Penetrating damp (water seeping through/coming through the brickwork/where water is getting into your home) 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 (A damp proof course is a barrier designed to prevent moisture from entering your home's walls). The damp will leave a ‘tidemark’ or stain on the wall/wallpaper.

Repairs or adding a damp course should help 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.

What is mould and how to deal with it

Mould is a kind of fungi that grows best in damp areas where air cannot circulate well.

Mould can be removed with bleach (or other alternatives) or fungicidal wash but the only way of stopping mould is to get rid of the dampness.

Clothes damaged by mould can be dry cleaned and carpets can be shampooed.

Moving mould by brushing, cleaning or vacuum cleaning can cause breathing problems; please think about wearing a mask or safety equipment when removing the mould.

This page was last updated on 10 May 2024