There are various steps that can help prevent mould and condensation in your home.
However, some problems with mould and condensation are due to underlying issues. If that’s the case, prevention techniques are unlikely to stop the problem. In this instance, please contact us.
Condensation forms when warm, moist air or water vapour comes into contact with cold surfaces or is trapped in areas where there's no air moving. It can cause mould to grow on walls and ceilings and can damage your clothes, bedding, carpets and decorations.
Taking these simple steps can prevent condensation.
Keep your heating on low
When you're at home, keep your heating on low to keep the temperature in your home around 19-21 degrees Celsius. This will help stop water from condensing on cold surfaces. It can also save you money on your heating bills because your boiler doesn't have to work as hard to get your home warm each time you turn it on.
Close inside doors and open windows
Close the doors between rooms and open windows slightly wider when you're cooking, washing, drying laundry or bathing. This lets the moisture out and stops it moving through the whole house.
Let air flow through your home
Don't push your furniture right up against the walls, or overstuff cupboards. This makes it harder for air to flow around a room.
Open your windows, especially after you've been cooking or showering, you have washing drying, or there are lots of people or plants in a room.
Use your extractor fans
All bathrooms and kitchens have an extractor fan. Keep the vents clean and clear and switch the fans on when you're using these rooms. If you're drying washing, dry it in one of these rooms and leave the fan on and a window open.
Keep lids on pots
This stops too much steam escaping.
Wipe down windows and sills in the mornings
If you can, leave your bedroom window slightly open at night to stop condensation forming on the cold window panes. If you can't do that, wipe down the inside of the windows and the window sills in the morning. Wring out the cloth so that it doesn't add to the dampness.
Where does the moisture come from?
You might be surprised by how much moisture we create in our homes each day!
| Daily sources of moisture | Moisture created | Approximately equal to |
|---|---|---|
| One person asleep for eight hours | 0.3 litres / 0.5 pints | One can of soft drink |
| One person active for 16 hours | 0.8 litres / 1.4 pints | Three cans of soft drink |
| Cooking | 3.0 litres / 5.3 pints | Six small bottles of water |
| Bathing | 1.0 litres / 1.8 pints | Two small bottles of water |
| Washing clothes | 0.5 litres / 0.9 pints | One small bottle of water |
| Drying clothes | 5.0 litres / 8.8 pints | Ten small bottles of water |
| Paraffin heater | 1.7 litres / 3 pints | Four small bottles of water |
What if these prevention techniques don’t work?
Some problems with mould and condensation are due to underlying issues. If that’s the case, prevention techniques are unlikely to stop the problem. If you think there is an underlying issue that is causing damp or mould in your home, please log a repair request via My Account or contact us so we can investigate for you.