Damp and Mould

A build up of condensation in your home can lead to mould and, if left untreated, mould can be bad for your health. But condensation is a fact of life in modern homes, caused by cooking, showering, drying clothes and even from breathing (particularly while you’re sleeping). This short video provides a good explanation of how and why condensation forms, and what can be done to prevent it becoming mould. 

Condensation is impossible to stop entirely but the best ways of preventing it from building up are by keeping your heating on all the time (but at a low level), using extractor fans and not drying clothes inside… but we live in Scotland where the weather is unpredictable and at a time when energy prices are rocketing so we appreciate that this advice isn’t all that helpful. So what can you try instead?

1. Open windows as often as you can but especially first thing in the morning. This lets fresh air in and moist air out
2. If water builds up on your windows, wiping it away should avoid mould
3. When you’re in the shower or bath, or when you’re cooking, keep the door closed and either open a window of make sure you turn your extractor fan on (extractor fans use surprisingly little power)
4. When cooking, keep lids on pans to stop steam escaping
5. Dry your clothes outside whenever possible. If that’s not an option then think about drying them in the bathroom or kitchen, with the window open/extractor fan on, and the doors closed
6. Make sure vented tumble dryers are ventilated outside
7. If you have a condenser dryer, make sure it’s in a well-ventilated room and that you regularly empty the condensation tank
8. Make sure furniture is away from radiators and external walls as this stops air moving around your home
9. Use a mould cleaning product to remove mould as soon as it appears

Damp and mould are usually due to everyday living but sometimes they can be caused by an issue with your property. If you have tried our tips but it's not making a difference, please let us know. It could be that there’s a problem that needs our attention.