A guide to condensation, damp and mould

1. Produce less moisture

Consider these ways to help reduce moisture within your home:

• dry clothes outdoors if possible - avoid drying clothes indoors or if you have to, dry them on a clothes airer with suitable ventilation
• vent tumble driers to the outside (never into the home) or buy a condensing type
• cook with lids on pots to prevent steam from escaping. This also is a cost-effective way to use less energy whilst cooking. 
• do not use paraffin or gas bottle heaters as they produce large amounts of water vapour

2. Remove Excess Moisture

Always wipe the windows and windowsills of your home every morning to remove condensation - just opening the window is not enough.

3. Heating

In cold weather the best way to keep rooms warm and avoid condensation is to keep low background heat on all day rather than short bursts of high heat, ideally between 18 to 21 degrees Celsius.

Good heating controls on your radiators, an independent room thermostat and a timer will help control the heating throughout your house and manage heating costs. If the heaters in your rental property don't work or you have no thermostat or controls, you must report this to your landlord.

Consider insulation (roof, cavity - wall or external wall insulation), draught-proofing windows and doors, and installing double or secondary glazing.

4. Ventilation

Finding a suitable balance between warmth and ventilation is important and can be very effective. By opening windows or ventilating your home it may appear that you are losing some heat, but what you are doing is allowing warm moisture-laden air to escape and replacing it with cool dry air from outside.  

Dry cool air is cheaper to heat than warm moist air! 

Many people who have double-glazing installed experience problems with condensation and mould growth that they did not experience with their old draughty window frames. However, by using trickle vents or opening windows slightly, then the necessary ventilation can be achieved.

5. Insulation

Loft and wall insulation, and draught proofing are changes that will keep your home warmer.

• insulate the loft to a depth of 300mm
• consider secondary or double glazing
• consider cavity wall insulation or internal dry lining
• draught-proof windows and external doors - when draught proofing, do not block permanent ventilators or rooms requiring ventilation