Managing damp and mould

If you have damp and mould in your home it’s important to understand what causes it and what can be done to prevent it.

When warm, wet air settles on a cold surface water droplets are formed. These water droplets are called condensation. You create condensation in your home by cooking, bathing, drying clothes and even breathing.

Condensation and mould are linked, if you do not wipe away condensation it can lead to mould growth.

When moisture collects in an area and does not dry out properly this can lead to damp.

Moisture can be caused through everyday activities like cooking, bathing, drying clothes and even breathing. Moisture can also enter your home from outside, for example from a leak or broken/blocked guttering. 

If the moisture has no way to get out of your home, it can lead to damp and mould. It is, therefore, really important to ventilate your home.

Mould is a fungus that will grow wherever there is moisture. Mould can appear as black pin pricks on walls, ceilings and furnishings and usually has a musty smell.

Mould grows as a result of moist conditions. Condensation and damp, if not dealt with, can lead to mould. Mould can spread very quickly and can become extremely hard to get rid of.

What is condensation?

When warm, wet air settles on a cold surface water droplets are formed. These water droplets are called condensation. You create condensation in your home by cooking, bathing, drying clothes and even breathing.

Condensation and mould are linked, if you do not wipe away condensation it can lead to mould growth.

What is damp?

When moisture collects in an area and does not dry out properly this can lead to damp.

Moisture can be caused through everyday activities like cooking, bathing, drying clothes and even breathing. Moisture can also enter your home from outside, for example from a leak or broken/blocked guttering. 

If the moisture has no way to get out of your home, it can lead to damp and mould. It is, therefore, really important to ventilate your home.

What is mould?

Mould is a fungus that will grow wherever there is moisture. Mould can appear as black pin pricks on walls, ceilings and furnishings and usually has a musty smell.

Mould grows as a result of moist conditions. Condensation and damp, if not dealt with, can lead to mould. Mould can spread very quickly and can become extremely hard to get rid of.

Managing damp and mould

Watch to find more top tips to help you manage damp and mould at home.

What should I do about damp and mould in my home?

If you notice damp and mould in your home it's very important to treat it as early as possible before the issue gets worse. It can spread quickly if left untreated.

Severe damp and mould can give your home a musty odour, can be unpleasant to look at and is harder to get rid of.

The best solution is prevention

Mould can be prevented and reduced by following some simple tips in your home:

  • Ventilate your home - To prevent moisture from spreading throughout your house, close doors when you’re cooking, having a bath or sleeping. Use extractor fans and open windows slightly to reduce condensation. Move furniture slightly away from walls to make sure air can circulate behind it.
  • Reduce the amount of moist air – This is important to reduce condensation and damp. Dry clothes on a drying rack next to an open window rather than on a radiator. If the weather is good, dry your clothes outside on a washing line - request a free washing line here. Put lids on pans when cooking. Fill your bath with 1-2 inches of cold water before adding hot water, to reduce condensation by around 90%.
  • Wipe away condensation - This can be on windows and sills, surfaces in your kitchen and your bathroom. Wiping condensation away with a dry cloth will help prevent mould from growing.

Don’t panic if you do find mould – lots of homes have mould, it’s only when it is found in large quantities that it can cause problems.

 

Can I get rid of mould myself?

If you have small amounts of mould in your home, for example on your windowsills or the sealant around your bath or shower, it’s quick and easy to get rid of it but it has to be done properly to keep your home safe and to stop it from coming back. Get yourself a mould remover kit (other options are available) and follow the simple instructions.

For more information, take a look at our helpful leaflet here.

What if I continue to have problems?

If you have tried to remove the mould and it continues to reappear or get worse, it’s really important that you get in touch. Once mould and damp start to spread it can become a much bigger problem, and it’s important that we make sure that there aren’t repairs that need to be fixed that might be causing the issue.

Damp and mould policy

To find out more about our approach to tackling damp and mould, you can read and download our damp and mould policy here.

How can we help?

Find out more about what we can do to help you with damp and mould.

1. Your first contact with us

First, we need you to call us to let us know about the problem. If it’s not reported, we won’t know about it and won’t be able to help.

When you call the Customer Hub one of our team will ask you some questions about the issue you’re having, like how big is the affected area, how long has the problem been going on, what do you think is causing it, etc.

They’ll then arrange for an operative to come to your home to make sure that there are no repairs causing the problem. They’ll also give you some advice on preventing the problem from getting worse in the meantime.

2. Your appointment

Our Operative will visit your property and advise on what we can do to resolve the problem. This could include organising repairs, applying mould treatment to the walls or ceilings, or identifying a leak or condensation issues with windows.

They might treat the problem during this visit but they may also arrange another date to carry out any other repairs they have suggested.

 

3. If the problem persists

If you continue to have problems after this visit and the repairs they have recommended have been completed, you’ll need to call us again.

This time, the Customer Services Officer will ask you about what the Operative advised and what they did to help. They’ll also ask you if the problem has got worse and what you think has caused the issue to happen again.

4. Referral to the damp and mould team

The Customer Hub will then refer your case to our damp and mould surveyors, who will come out to inspect the problem and complete a survey to identify the underlying issue and work out what other steps can be taken.

Zero tolerance approach

We’ll work with you to find a solution and give you the support that you need to permanently fix the problem.

We have a zero-tolerance approach to recurring damp and mould issues. We’ll work with you to find a solution and give you the support that you need to permanently fix the problem.

If you need to report problems with damp and mould, you can get in touch with us here or call our Customer Hub on 0345 60 20 540.