Private Sector Housing - Damp, condensation and mould

Whatever the cause of condensation and mould in your home, it is important to tackle the issue as soon as possible and then take steps to stop it forming again.  

Surface condensation and small patches of mould

Look around your home to identify where you have condensation. Everyday you should wipe away or mop up any moisture appearing on walls, windows, windowsills, and other surfaces.

Remove small areas of mould by washing the surfaces affected with an anti-fungicidal mould remover, which you can get from most supermarkets and DIY stores. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using these products.

When you have cleared the mould, take the mould prevention actions steps shown below.

If the condensation or mould returns or there are brown stains or large areas of mould, report them to your landlords for immediate action.

Help to stop condensation and mould coming back

Once the condensation and mould have been cleaned, both you and your landlord need to ensure you have taken the right steps to tackle these problems to stop mould coming back.

Condensation and mould forms in your home because of problems in these 3 areas:

• too much water in the air
• too little ventilation
• too cold 

Steps to remove moisture 

Take these steps to remove moisture from your home:

• always use a lid on pans when cooking to help reduce steam
• cook with the right amount of water and for only as long as necessary. This means you can turn down the heat on your hob and save energy costs
• wring out any cloths into a sink rather than leaving it to drip dry
• use an extractor fan if you have one or open a window  for up to 20 minutes after you have finished cooking or bathing.  Leave the fan on or the window open until the misting has gone or you can see yourself in a mirror
• remember to close kitchen doors to stop moisture from cooking spreading to other rooms
• if you use a tumble dryer, or make sure the exhaust vent is installed properly - do not just hang the vent out of a window. Consider using a condensing tumble dryer (one that collects the water in a container so does not need a vent)
• dry your clothes outside if you can or inside on a clothes rack.  You can keep the room cool with a window slightly open and the door closed
• avoid using radiators to dry clothes as this stops them working well, makes your home colder and may lead to higher heating costs
• try running the cold tap into a bath before the hot to help reduce steam
• use a squeegee wiper to wipe down any excess moisture in the bathroom after every bath or shower

Steps to create good ventilation 

Take these steps to replace damp air inside with dry air from outside and prevent condensation from forming:

• ventilation needs to match the speed that moisture is being produced, so dry air is brought in and replaces wet internal air. Ensure you have good ventilation by opening windows or vents daily
• encourage rapid ventilation of bathroom and kitchens by using extractors
• do not cover air bricks, hit and miss vents or ventilation holes, especially in rooms containing gas appliances
• if your window has trickle vents (see 3rd picture below), make sure your landlord has told you how to use them and they are open and not blocked
• do not switch off or block extractor fans. If your extractor fan is broken or too noisy, report it to your landlord
• always leave 5mm gap between furniture and the wall to let air circulate and avoid overfilling wardrobes and cupboards
• place large furniture against warmer internal walls

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Steps to reduce cold 

Warm air holds moisture so it can be ventilated out, cold air does not. Low background warmth in the home helps cut down on condensation. It also helps the keeps the building warm and prevents condensation forming.  

Steps to reduce cold you should:

• place a  thermostat on a wall or radiator to help control your heating and your energy bills. For comfort set your thermostat between 18 to 21°C and set the timer to go on before you return home or wake up 
• make sure your doors and windows are sealed properly to help regulate the airflow and temperature in your home, talk to your landlord if they are not
• close your blinds or curtains once it gets dark to help keep heat in, and consider getting thermal backed curtains
• remember to open curtains again during the day to help the airflow around your windows and doors and benefit from the sun’s warmth

If your home gets colder than 14°C it will put you at greater risk from condensation and black mould. The optimum temperature of your home is between 21°C in the day and at least 16°C at night. 

Further information on how to keep your home warm

• Croydon Council Healthy Homes energy advice service.
• Citizens Advice guidance on support for energy bills.
• OFGEM summary of schemes and grants related to fuel poverty.
• Public leaflets produced by Winter Warmth England and National Energy Action
• Your energy performance certificate gives advice with a breakdown of property’s energy performance and how to improve the rating. Find an energy certificate for a property in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. 

Monitoring moisture with a hygrometer to stop damp and mould   

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Just as homes have smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, you can now buy damp detectors, called hygrometers. These are low cost and are available online and in most DIY shops. You only need to buy one and can move it from room to room. 

A hygrometer will help you stop damp and condensation before it starts as it tells you when the air is too wet. This is much more cost effective than paying for property damage. 

Further information on how to prevent damp and mould

• Guidance from Shelter UK
• Guidance from Citizens Advice