Healthy habits to help beat damp and mould
Beat damp and mould
It may be summer, though the weather hasn't been very summery, but now is a great time to start some healthy habits to help beat condensation, damp and mould. Excess condensation, damp and mould doesn't only happen in winter. It can happen in the summer too, and can affect all homes and buildings. If not treated, it can affect health and damage belongings.
Condensation is when moisture creates water droplets on indoor surfaces. Everyday things like cooking, cleaning, showering and bathing create it. It can cause damage in your home, like flaking paintwork, peeling wallpaper and mould.
The best way to reduce condensation is to keep your home as ventilated and warm as possible. We know this is easier in the summer but by starting your healthy habits now, it'll help keep your home healthy all year round.
Healthy Habits
- Open windows when cooking, showering, bathing, drying clothes, and for an hour (or as long as you can) when you get up.
- Turn your extractor fan on when cooking, showering and bathing. On average it costs around £3 a year to run a bathroom extractor fan, if it's used for about 30 minutes every day. Tell us if you don't have working extractor fans.
- If you can, dry clothes outdoors. If you use a drying rack indoors, open the windows and turn on your extractor fan.
- Put lids on pans when cooking (and it helps save on your energy bill!).
- Close internal doors when cooking or showering.
- Dry water on windows and other surfaces with a dry, clean cloth or towel.
- Open your curtains and blinds in the morning and closing them at night. It helps to keep the air moving and can reduce moisture.
- Move sofas and other furniture away from radiators, heaters and external walls. This helps air to travel around your home better.
- Make sure your tumble dryer is installed and used correctly.
- If you see mould, use a clean cloth and a household mould-cleaning product to treat and remove small areas. If mould returns after cleaning it away, please contact us straight away. We'll arrange an inspection and take action to fix the problem.
We want you to live in homes that are safe and free from damp, condensation and mould. That’s why we want you to report it as soon as you notice it. The quicker you report it the quicker we can treat it. Please call us on 0800 633 5500, email customerenquiries@wchg.org.uk or visit us in person at any of our offices.
For more information on damp and mould, go to Damp and Mould. The page includes a short video and handy guide on what causes it and how we can tackle it together.
