Preventing condensation and mould in your home
Mould resulting from unchecked condensation is a common issue, especially in areas with high moisture. While it's not always your fault, some landlords might deduct from your deposit if there's significant mould growth at the end of your tenancy.
Mould resulting from unchecked condensation is also unsightly, may damage your belongings and could even affect your health and well-being. The key is to be proactive – starting from day one, you can take simple steps to keep mould at bay. Please follow these tips on how to prevent and address condensation, which will ensure a healthier, more comfortable living environment.
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"). 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 (this is especially true in properties occupied by large groups).
Tips on preventing condensation & mould in your home
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 any wet spots
This stops 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; leave a small gap of around 10-15cm. This will allow air to circulate and will help to prevent condensation on the walls.
Keep trickle vents open
Keep your windows' trickle vents open, or better yet, keep your windows ajar whenever you can.
Cover pan lids
By using pan lids when cooking, as liquid evaporates it hits the pan lid and immediately condenses. This keeps the liquid within your cooking and reduces humidity in your home. If you have an extractor fan or hood in your kitchen, ensure that it is running when you cook.
Consider a dehumidifier to dry your laundry
If you frequently dry laundry indoors on an airer, using a dehumidifier can help extract moisture caused by laundry drying and reduce drying time significantly.
As well as your responsibilities, 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?