Reducing condensation and preventing mould in your home

Damp and mould problems in the home can be caused by a build-up of moisture which could affect your health.
Condensation can be formed when warm air meets a cold surface like a window or external wall. The dampness caused by too much condensation can lead to mould growth on walls, ceilings, and furniture.

Sources of moisture in the home:

Cooking
Drying clothes inside
Tumble dryers
Lack of ventilation
Showering
Boiling a kettle

Damp and mould can also be caused by damaged guttering, raised ground levels above damp-proof course, water leaks and other factors which can release moisture into the home.

Ways to reduce the amount of moisture in your home

Dry surfaces such as windows and kitchen worksurfaces regularly.
Wring out the cloths. Don’t leave to dry on a radiator
Use pan lids and extractor during cooking.
Reduce bath time steam by running the cold water first and then adding the hot. Keep the bathroom door closed and use extractor fan or open a window
Hang washing outside if possible, or hang in a room with the door closed and a window open
Use vented tumble drier to connect to the outside.

Increase ventilation by:

Keep bedroom window open at night, even if only slightly
Reduce moisture escaping into the house from the kitchen or bathroom by keeping the doors closed.
Allow air to circulate, especially during cooking or washing up by opening windows and using extractor fan
Keep window open or extractor fan running for about 20 minutes after showering or bathing
Keep large furniture slightly away from walls to assist with ventilation

It’s better to keep a medium temperature throughout your home than to heat one room to a high temperature. Warm air holds more moisture than cool air – the warmer it is, the more it can hold, meaning less condensation.

To reduce fuel bills and increase the temperature in your home, consider improving your home’s insulation and installing draught proofing. For example: