Preventing condensation and mould in your home: Top Tips
When temperatures start to drop, we always receive numerous reports of condensation mould forming in properties. As such, we've produced a series of educational mailouts we send out to occupants of our managed properties. The e-mails cover all the steps they must take in order to reduce the amount of moisture and condensation produced, which will inevitably turn to black mould if not treated. We've issued our own tips, as well as a leaflet produced by Cardiff Council.
Our goal is to remind contract-holders of their responsibilities, whilst also emphasising how caring for their property can benefit their well-being too. We also prompt them to report any issues that may be hindering their ability to combat condensation, such as extractor fans that aren't working or issues with heating system, as landlords also have a part to play in the 'fight against mould'.
Below is one of the emails we send out mid-tenancy. Feel free to share this guidance with your own contract-holders.
Condensation and mould – not the most thrilling topic, but an important one, especially important now we’re heading into the colder months. Mould resulting from unchecked condensation is not only unsightly, but may damage your belongings, or could also affect your health and well-being. Please follow these tips on how to prevent and address condensation, which will ensure a healthier, more comfortable living environment for yourself and your housemates.
Note: Bear in mind that textured coatings, such as Artex, may contain low levels of asbestos – a potentially dangerous substance if disturbed. Such coatings are considered safe when not disturbed, and the cleaning of walls and ceilings would not generally be expected to be undertaken in a manner that damages or disturbs surfaces, so any risk of exposure to asbestos is extremely low. We recommend the use of spray-on mould killers, then gently wiping it off using a soft wet cloth.
A reminder of what condensation is
Condensation starts as tiny water droplets and can morph into dark-coloured spores (we call this "mould", definitely not "damp" - see here for more). It happens when excess moisture in the air meets cold surfaces like windows, walls and furniture. Every home will suffer from it if the necessary steps aren’t taken to guard against it, but this is especially true in properties occupied by large groups.
Tips on preventing condensation & mould
Keep your home warm
Experts say the ideal temperature for living rooms is 20°C, 23°C for the bathroom and 16°C for the bedroom and kitchen. Using your heating is the single biggest weapon in combating condensation and mould, so be sure to use it.
Wipe down wet spots
To stop mould from moving in. If it's too late, use the right cleaning products at regular intervals.
Make space between furniture and walls
Don’t place furniture tight up against walls, make sure to leave a small gap of around 10-15cm. This will allow air to circulate and will help to prevent condensation on the walls.
Avoid drying clothes indoors
And definitely not on radiators. High moisture levels in the air can make the problem worse. Click here for some tips on the best ways to dry clothes in winter.
Keep trickle vents open
Keep your windows’ trickle vents open, or better yet, keep your windows ajar whenever you can.
Cover pans whilst cooking
By using pan lids when cooking, as liquid evaporates it hits the pan lid and immediately condenses. This causes the liquid to stay within your cooking and not contribute to the humidity of your home. If you have an extractor fan or hood in your kitchen, you should ensure that this is running when you cook.
As well as your responsibilities above, your landlord also has responsibilities in helping you combat condensation. If your answer to any of the below questions is “no”, please let us know and we will have a conversation with your landlord about making some changes:
- Is the heating system working properly and are all parts of each radiator hot to touch when turned on?
- Does the room in question have a trickle vent fitted to the window? They can sometimes be fitted retrospectively, but do need to be left open and will provide a slight draught from outside. They’re a help, but not a cure.
- If the issue is in a bathroom, is the extractor fan working and does it stay on for a short while after you turn the light off in the room? Check if it works by holding a piece of toilet roll up to it; it should ‘catch’ it.
- Do you have a tumble dryer in the property?
The information contained within this article was correct at the date of publishing and is not guaranteed to remain correct in the present day.
