Blog 1 - Preventing Dampness
I am often asked how to prevent dampness in the home and I therefore thought I would write a few lines to explain.
Dampness in the home can be caused by condensation, a poorly maintained property or building faults.
If untreated it will not only look unsightly but it can also lead to serious health issues such as skin rashes, allergies, irritation to the throat and can also affect the immune system.
The first signs of dampness are:
- A damp and musty smell
- The appearance of mold or mildew on walls, floors, ceilings and furniture
- Peeling paint
- Wallpaper lifting from the wall
- Walls, floors or ceilings feel cold or coloured patches on walls or plaster
- Excessive condensation on windows
- A powdery, white salt-like substance on a wall
- Yellow or brown staining on a wall
Condensation occurs when warm air collides with cold surfaces. As the warm air cools it releases moisture and turns into water droplets.
Condensation can also happen if there is too much humidity in your home.
It is therefore more of a problem in winter when the central heating is on and you are cooking, showering and drying clothes with the windows closed and the temperature outside is cold.
Although condensation seems harmless enough, if it is not dealt with the moisture will cause mold to grow around your windows and doors, on your furniture, walls and ceilings.
If your property is not properly maintained such problems as blocked or ill fitted guttering, broken or missing roof tiles, poor pointing, incorrectly fitted windows and doors, plumbing leaks etc can cause penetrating damp.
As they say ‘prevention is better than cure’ so here are a few ways I recommend to my customers to stop dampness forming:
- Keep your home well ventilated
- When taking a bath or shower keep the door closed so the excess moisture doesn’t go into the rest of the home and keep the extractor fan on and open the bathroom window
- When cooking keep the cooker extractor fan on and keep lids on your pots and pans
- Keep furniture away from walls so the air can circulate
- Maintain a constant temperature throughout the home
- Do not dry clothes inside especially by hanging them on radiators
- Ensure your home is well insulated
- Have double or triple glazed windows fitted
- Ensure guttering is not blocked and fitted correctly
- Fix leaking pipes
- Replace broken or missing roof tiles
- Repoint brickwork if required
- Remove any garden soil that is touching an exterior wall
I hope you find the above helpful, but if you have any questions about preventing dampness or damp problems in your home then please do not hesitate to get in touch as I am always happy to give advice.
Best wishes
Scott
07581 357803 / 0208 054 5007
Mold on a door frame
