How to deal with condensation and mould in your home

Useful information for reducing condensation and treating mould in your home.

What is condensation?

There is always moisture in the air, even if you cannot see it. It is produced from normal day to day living. Condensation occurs when warm moist air hits cold surfaces, which then causes the air to cool down and turn into droplets of water - for example when your windows steam up.

Waking up to condensation on windows is a familiar sight for most people, especially in winter. It is not usually a problem and will clear if windows are opened briefly to provide natural ventilation. However, if condensation occurs over a long time and doesn't clear due to lack of ventilation, other symptoms will start to appear such as damp patches on walls, peeling wallpaper and ultimately black mould growth. Most of our homes are also double glazed with draught seals on doors and windows which can also stop moist air from escaping.

Do you know how much moisture everyday activities produce?

total amount of moisture produced in your home in one day: 28 pints
drying clothes: 9 pints
cooking and boiling a kettle: 6 pints
one medium size pet: 4 pints
two people active for one day: 3 pints
using a paraffin or bottle gas heater: 3 pints
having a bath or shower: 2 pints
washing clothes: 1 pint

How do you know if you have condensation?

If your home is suffering from condensation you will start to see signs of it very quickly which include:

streaming windows (ie water droplets on them)
damp areas on walls
wallpaper peeling
signs of mould growth
musty smell on clothes in wardrobes

If condensation is left to develop into mould it can lead to an unsightly, musty property. It can also trigger or make worse health problems such as asthma and other complaints.

Reducing condensation

You can reduce the amount of condensation in your home by producing less water and by letting moist air escape from your home.

General

open windows in the morning for 20 minutes to air your home
leave trickle vents on windows open all year round
do not block trickle vents and wall vents
wipe down all surfaces and windows affected by condensation every day - this is your responsibility
try and keep heating on low for several hours a day when it's cold - if your home is warm condensation is less likely
keep interior doors slightly open to allow air and heat to circulate (unless cooking or bathing)
if you have a Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) fitted (sometimes called a Drimaster), leave it on at all times and keep windows and external doors shut
- PIVs will reduce air moisture (humidity) in your home - homes containing high levels of humidity are more expensive to heat so PIVs can help reduce heating bills
some extractor fans are designed to be left switched on all the time - they will activate themselves on and off as humidity (moisture in the air) increases. Do not switch them off at the wall.
- most extractor fans fitted by the council cost around £5 a year to run
leave a gap between your furniture and the walls to help air circulation
keep lids on fish tanks
don't use bottled gas heaters (Calor etc)
make sure your home is insulated - we offer free loft insulation for our tenants

When cooking

always cook with pan lids on and turn the heat down once the water has boiled
only use the minimum amount of water for cooking vegetables
open kitchen windows slightly and shut doors and turn on your extractor fan if it is manually operated - allow the fan to run for about 15 minutes after you've finished cooking
extractor fans that designed to remain on at all times will automatically remove excess moisture in the air
don't use your gas cooker to heat your kitchen

When bathing

when filling the bath, run the cold water first - it will reduce the steam that leads to condensation by up to 90%
always use the extractor fan - turn it on when having a bath or shower and let it run until the condensation has cleared
keep the bathroom door shut to stop moisture escaping
wipe all cold and moist surfaces with a dry cloth so they are dry

Washing and drying laundry

never dry washing on radiators - use an airer
dry washing outdoors if possible or put it in the bathroom with the door closed and the window open or extractor fan on
vent your tumble dryer to the outside (you can buy DIY kits for this) unless it is a self-condensing type

Treating mould

If you notice mould growing in your home you should treat it straight away to prevent it from spreading and causing more damage.

do NOT use bleach to treat the mould
sterilise the affected area with a suitable fungicidal wash (available from most DIY stores) - ensure that you follow the manufacturer's instructions
keep checking the affected area for a week and if necessary, treat the area again
using a mould inhibiting emulsion paint for walls and ceiling decoration will help prevent mould from returning

How we can help

If you are having problems with condensation and mould please contact the Housing Repairs Contact Centre as soon as possible. We will visit within 5 working days to make an initial assessment of the problem. We will carry out any repairs needed. We will also offer you advice and information on how to manage condensation and mould.

We understand it may not be easy to keep your home warm due to the current high cost of living and high fuel prices. If you need some support and advice with your bills there is information on our website: Cost of living help

You can also contact your Neighbourhood Officer or the Rents Team for advice. The Rents Team can provide advice on benefit entitlement and income maximisation.

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