Written by: Emma Rose, Communications Manager - Property Maintenance
Damp
What causes damp?
Damp is usually caused by some sort of structural issue with the building. For example, a leaking roof, leaking internal waste or supply pipework, failed damp course.
The first sign of this will probably be blistering of plasterwork at skirting board level, bowing plasterwork or visible staining or water runs. If you see this in your home, please get in touch. If you are able to take pictures of the affected areas and send them to us then that is also helpful.
What can be done about it?
One of our specialist surveyors will visit your home and carry out a detailed inspection to diagnose the issue and establish what is causing the damp. They will then book in any work that needs doing to complete the repair.
Condensation
What causes condensation?
Condensation happens when warm, moist air meets cold surfaces. That’s why it’s more common in cold houses and in the winter. It’s also the most common cause of mould in homes.
Warm air can be produced from everyday activities such as cooking, showering, drying clothes – and even breathing! In fact, the average family produces around 20 pints of moisture a day from breathing.
Condensation can be a particular problem in old houses. This is because they are often harder to keep warm, but also simply because they were not built to accommodate modern ways of living.
It wasn’t until the 1960s that things like showers and tumble dryers started to become common fixtures in homes, and whilst adding energy saving solutions such as double glazing, cavity wall insulation, blocking up draughty old fireplaces might have helped to reduce heating bills, a lack of ventilation can make condensation worse as there’s less opportunity for the building to “breathe”.
If you have condensation then you might notice wet walls, peeling wallpaper, mildew, a musty smell on clothes or furniture, or spots of black mould.
Can it be prevented?
The best way to stop condensation forming is to keep your home warm, and manage humidity levels by ensuring it is well ventilated.
Using the heating on a programmer/timer is more efficient than turning the heating on for an hour and then switching it off
It’s recommended not to let the temperature drop below 16°C, and ideally keep it at around 21°C. Keeping the heating on at a low level is more energy efficient than letting rooms get very cold and then warming them up.
A good example to illustrate this is to think about boiling a kettle for a cup of tea. You switch the kettle on, and it takes a few minutes, and a lot of energy to get the water from cold to boiling point. If you turn the kettle back on after 15 minutes because the water is still warm it only takes a few seconds to get back to boiling point. The same principle applies to central heating.
If there are trickle vents in your windows, keep them open, and make sure extractor fans are always switched on. Many modern fans Curo install are controlled by a humidistat, which works by providing a constant trickle to provide ventilation throughout the day and night. When the humidistat senses an increase in humidity (maybe through cooking or showering, for instance) it will then automatically boost to a higher level until the humidity is at an acceptable level again.
Drying clothes on radiators can also make condensation worse, and although it’s difficult to dry clothes effectively in some properties, such as flats, it’s better to use a cheap drying rack in a cooler room, such as the bathroom where you can open a window and use an extractor fan.
There are lots of tips about how to help prevent condensation on this page of our website.
What can be done about it?
If you notice minor wet patches on the wall, then wipe them down as soon as possible, and if you’re worried about it then please report it to us and we can arrange for a visit to check and diagnose the cause of the problem. We can then either arrange for remedial works if necessary, or provide you with advice about how you can manage the problem effectively.
If you see signs of mould, particularly around door and window frames, then wipe them down and treat it with an anti-mould product. There are many brands easily available from supermarkets, DIY shops, and online which are safe and easy to use at home.
If there is a lot of mould, please get in touch and our damp and mould team can help remove it. It’s important to remember though that it will keep coming back if you don’t keep your home warm and ventilated.
We may be able to look at your extractor fans to make sure they are operating correctly or upgrade the fans if necessary to help with ventilating your home more effectively.
You can also use a hygrometer to help monitor the humidity in your home. A hygrometer can help you keep track of when the humidity is reaching levels that could cause condensation so you can act – such as putting on the heating or opening a window – to try to prevent it. Curo can give you a free hygrometer, pop into the reception at The Maltings and you can pick one up, or alternatively we can send one to you through the post.
If you are having trouble paying your heating bills, then please get in touch and we will try to support you.
Mould
What causes mould?
Mould spores are always present in the atmosphere, and will grow wherever there is moisture, food and the right temperature for it to flourish. As we live in a humid country, it’s very common – especially in bathrooms, kitchens and around windows.
Condensation or leaking pipework is the primary cause of mould. Mould does not generally grow where there is either rising damp or penetrating damp as the moisture in these cases is likely to contain slats or sulphates that are poisonous to mould.
What can be done about it?
If your mould is being caused by damp, then investigating the matter and treating the cause of the problem is key, and treating the mould using specialist products should get rid of it.
If it’s being caused by condensation, then keeping your home warm and well ventilated is the only way to keep it at bay.
While in small amounts mould is not normally problematic it’s important to try to clean it regularly to stop it building up.
If you have large areas of mould that need treating, then please let us know and our damp and mould team may be able to help.
You can find more information about condensation, damp and mould on this page.
If you have damp and mould in your home then you can report it online.