Damp & mould
Having damp and mould in your home can be really unsettling. There are easy steps we can all take to reduce damp and mould in your home.
What causes damp & mould?
When we go about out daily activities, cooking, cleaning and washing, we release moisture into the air.
This moisture builds up against cold surfaces and forms water droplets. This is known as condensation.
If we don't treat condensation, mould can form.
Condensation can form on windows, doors and exterior walls, especially in older homes that were built using different methods to modern homes.
Top tips to keep your home damp and mould free
In order to help reduce condensation and lower the likelihood of mould growth there are a number of simple measures we can take, including:
- Heating your home at a low level throughout the day to stop water condensing.
- Ventilate your house properly (including your cupboards) by opening windows and doors during the day.
- Dry clothes outside rather than on radiators where possible.
- Wipe down your windows regularly to remove moisture.
- Don't put wet items into closed cupboards - make sure they're dry before putting them away.
- Put lids on your pans to trap steam.
- Ensuring any vents are open and correctly fitted, and use extractor fans when cooking and washing.
- Reduce how long your spend in baths and showers and keep doors closed when bathing / showering.
- Try to leave space around furniture for air to flow.
- Make sure tumble dryers vent outside through an open window or extractor vent.
Treating mould build up
It’s important to act fast if you start to notice mould growth, as it’s easier to remove the earlier it’s treated.
Here is a simple guide to treating mould build up:
- Mix a solution of standard household bleach and water - you can pick up a cheap bleach spray from most supermarkets.
- Wipe down the affected area with your bleach solution as soon as mould starts to form. This will remove the mould easily and protect the surface from repeat growth for a while.
- Keep an eye on the area and repeat clean down if you notice spores starting to grow back.
- Use a specialised mould-killing product on more stubborn build-ups. You can pick these up in most supermarkets. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label.
- When decorating (especially in kitchen and bathrooms) use the correct paint (usually labelled as ‘kitchen and bathroom paint’. These can be better at keeping your home mould-free.
- As with all cleaning products, please use them carefully and
follow safety instructions on the label.
Support with damp & mould
If you live in a Council property, you can log a repair using your Online Housing account. You can also call 01708 434000.
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