Damp & Condensation Guide

damp & condensation.

With the average family home producing 12L of moisture every day, condensation can quickly lead to damp and mould if you don't take steps to deal with it.

damp & condensation.

What is Damp and Condensation?

Damp, condensation and mould growth starting to appear in your home are all signs that the air within your house is too wet.

When warm or moist air hits a cooler surface you will see water droplets form - this is condensation.

Where does it come from?

An average UK family produces 12L of moisture every day. Simple activities like sleeping, cooking, showers and even breathing all contribute to creating moisture in the air. Some activities like drying your washing inside can add large amounts of moisture to that build up.

How do I deal with it?

If you fail to deal with damp and condensation it will lead to mould growth, so here's a guide of some useful tip's to help.

in the home.

There are several tips you can carry out throughout your home to reduce condensation.

To help airflow make sure that you open vents in your windows and rooms wherever you have them.

Wherever you have them make sure you use your extractor fans. These are usually located in the kitchen and bathroom.

To reduce the risk of condensation you should keep your room at a temperature between 18-21 degrees.

Surfaces that start to show signs of condensation forming should be wiped and dried.

Ventilate your room by keeping your windows open for a small time each day.

Dry washing outside where possible. If you need to dry clothes inside then do so in a room with an open window.

Throughout the home make sure that you don't place furniture directly against the walls.

living room.

As a room where your family will spend a lot of time, the living room can be a source of moisture production within your house.

Ventilate your room by keeping your windows open for a small time each day.

Make sure that you don't place furniture directly against the walls.

To help airflow make sure that you open vents in your windows and rooms wherever you have them.

bedroom.

You produce a large amount of moisture whilst sleeping, here's some tips for your bedroom.

Ventilate your room by keeping your windows open for a small time each day.

Make sure that you don't place furniture directly against the walls.

Never place your mattress directly on the floor.

kitchen.

Alongside the bathroom, the kitchen is one of the biggest producers of moisture within your home.

When cooking, and for a short time after, make sure to close any internal doors and open windows to allow moisture to escape.

Turn on your extractor fan whilst cooking and leave on for five to ten minutes afterwards.

Put lids on your pans whilst cooking to reduce moisture in the air.

Open vents in your windows wherever you have them.

If you use a tumble dryer make sure the vent goes outside.

bathroom.

The largest contributor to moisture build up within your home, the bathroom should be a key focus for you when it comes to reducing condensaiton.

Surfaces that start to show signs of condensation forming should be wiped and dried.

If running a bath use the cold tap first to reduce steam.

When having a shower or bath, make sure to close any internal doors.

Turn on your extractor fan when having a bath a shower and for five to ten minutes afterwards.

Open windows whilst having a bath or shower to allow moisture created to escape.

If you're drying clothes inside then close doors and open the window.

checks.

There are several checks which you can regularly perform around the inside and outside of your property. Any issues should be reported to repairs.

Leaks to internal pipework, radiators, waste pipes & sink/bath traps Broken sealant to baths W/C overflow constantly running Missing roof tiles/slates Broken/missing/leaking gutters & downpipes Blocked drain gullies

Issues with any of the above can lead to damp and condensation within your home.

Make sure that you perform checks on these areas regularly, allowing us to deal with the required repairs before the problems get worse.

dealing with it.

Here's some ways you can effectively deal with condensation and mould growth within your home.

Condensation forming is the first sign of a build up of moisture within your home, and it's important that you deal with it in the right way.

Where condensation appears on surfaces or windows it should be wiped away with a dry cloth before making sure that the surface is completely dry again.

What if mould growth has started?

In situations where condensation build up has already lead to mould growth it should be cleaned in the correct way.

First, wash the area with warm water and detergent making sure you cover the whole affected area.

Next, rinse and dry using a new cloth before moving onto disinfecting the area by using a fungicidal treatment.

Keep an eye on the affected area and make sure to follow the tips in this guide to reduce any further condensation within your home.

If problems continue or you notice a large area affected by condensation or mould growth then report it as soon as possible to our repairs team.

reporting it.

There are several tips you can carry out throughout your home to reduce condensation.

Online using our report a repair form By emailing housingrepairs@wrexham.gov.uk By calling your local housing office (you can also report repairs in person at our housing offices) By calling 01978 298993