How to prevent mould and condensation

Mould and condensation is one of the most troublesome forms of damp that can appear in your home. If left to its own devices and no action taken, there can be consequences with structural damage like peeling wallpaper, window moisture and mould to walls/sealants. More seriously untreated mould can lead to health issues, especially affecting the respiratory system.

Condensation is the result of inadequate ventilation within the home causing excess humidity. Things like cooking, hot showers and drying washing indoors all contribute towards mould and condensation. Here, Clockwork tells you how to prevent this.

Ventilation

Ensure that when you boiling a kettle, cooking or showering that the doors are kept closed, as this will prevent moisture in the air travelling to colder rooms within the house. Hot air in cold rooms is what will cause condensation to form.

Ventilation is key, aerating the property regularly, wiping condensation off the windows and using a dehumidifier should help, however if this is not enough you should consider a more permanent solution. Clockwork would recommend whole house ventilation, offering a system where the property ventilates itself as well as improving the air quality indoors.

Heating

In colder months, heating the property should be done on a regular basis which will vastly improve and help regulate the temperature of the house including the walls, which will eliminate the risk of condensation.

If you are using the heating make sure that you are not using it to create additional moisture in the air, such as drying clothes inside. This can create a significant amount of moisture and one of the main causes of condensation.

Appliances

Most appliances within the home, especially those that produce water vapour can cause condensation. Examples are kettles, dishwasher, cooking and washing machines, try to use appliances one at a time where possible to eliminate excess moisture and also to use the extractor fan when cooking.

Washing machines and tumble dryers should also be ventilated correctly, as one load of washing creates two litres of water which is emitted into the air.

Cooking

There are several ways of eliminating moisture in the air when it comes to cooking. Firstly, it is worth using the lid to your pans when cooking, covering them will reduce steam into the air. Secondly, when you are cooking ensure you use an extractor fan whether this be a cooker hood above the oven or an extractor fan for the room. If you do not have an extractor system in the kitchen, Clockwork Maintenance can install these.

In relation to the extractor fans, make sure these are kept on after you have finished cooking for at least 15 minutes, to ensure that all the moisture in the air has been taken out. Some extractor fans have humidity sensors so will extract the necessary moisture out of the air.

Furniture

It is important not to overfill your wardrobes or kitchen cupboards. These places can become fairly warm and a lack of ventilation to the cupboards will only encourage mould to breed within a small warm space. If you clothes smell damp, this may be the first signs of mould you should free up some space in your wardrobe to help alleviate this.

For the same reason as above, make sure that your furniture is at least 50mm away from the surrounding walls so that air can circulate around the property. Try to ensure that your wardrobes are placed against internal walls in your bedroom which will be less cold than external walls and less likely to cause damp and mould problems.

Insulation

Ensure your home is well insulated, such as double glazed windows, loft insulation, draught proofing and wall insulation will mean that the heat won’t escape from the property. This way your home will be able to maintain temperature more effectively, minimising the risk of condensation and mould.

If you would like us to help resolve your condensation and mould problems, make an appointment today. We have local experts available who can recommend the best course of action for your property. If you are not sure if your property is suffering from condensation or rising damp, we can still come out to your property and complete a full report as to what can be done to help.