Condensation, damp and mould in your council home

How to avoid condensation, damp and mould and what to do if you think you have damp in your council property.

What causes damp

The main causes of damp in the home are:

  • rainwater seeping into the walls or the roof
  • pipes, washing machines or dishwashers leaking
  • condensation

Damp from rainwater getting in or leaking pipes usually leaves a tidemark on the wall or ceiling. Damp from condensation usually develops into mould.

What causes condensation

Cooking, showering and drying clothes indoors can produce a lot of water vapour. It’s important to ventilate your home to remove this water vapour before it forms condensation.

Continual condensation can lead to mould growth, which can increase the risk of respiratory conditions.

If you think you may have condensation, consider buying a moisture absorber or a dehumidifier. 

How to remove mould

If you have mould in your home, to kill and remove it you should:

wipe down areas with mould with a weak household bleach solution or anti-fungal treatment as soon as you notice it

redecorate using a good quality mould resistant paint - this helps prevent mould reoccurring

wash affected clothes and shampoo carpets

You should avoid:

disturbing mould by brushing or vacuuming as it can release the spores into the air

How to reduce condensation

To avoid condensation and mould growth in your home, try to:

dry your clothes outside or in a well-ventilated room with an open window

open windows regularly or keep them on the latch

if you have a tumble dryer, make sure it’s properly ventilated – close the door of the room that it is in and have a window open, or ajar when using

regularly ventilate rooms when they’re in use, especially bathrooms and kitchens

cover pans when cooking, and use the extractor fan if you have one

keep the heating on for longer at low temperatures in cold weather - this is a more efficient way of heating your home and can reduce condensation build up

regularly wipe down surfaces where moisture settles

Try to avoid:

drying clothes on your radiators as this puts large amounts of moisture into the air

blocking airbricks, vents or redundant fireplaces

putting things on top of cupboards and wardrobes as the air cannot circulate

positioning furniture against cold external walls

Contact housing repairs

If you've followed these tips, but you still have condensation, damp or mould growth in your home, contact our council housing repairs helpdesk.