Breathe Easy:
A healthy home is a happy home. Damp, excess moisture, and mould don’t just look unsightly, they can compromise your health and the condition of your property. In the UK, the English Housing Survey reported that 9% of households in England had a problem with damp in 2022, which is over 414,000 homes.
Ventilation is Your Best Friend
Moisture enters the air every day through activities like breathing, cooking, and showering. If this damp air can’t escape, it condenses on cold surfaces, creating the perfect environment for mould spores. So, how can you start preventing this from happening?
Post-Shower Power:
Always open a window or use an extractor fan after bathing or showering. Keep the bathroom door closed during and immediately after to prevent moist air reaching colder rooms like bedrooms. And if you can, leave the fan running or window open for at least 20 minutes.
Cooking Control:
Turn on your kitchen extractor fan when boiling, steaming or simmering. Keep pot lids on to reduce steam and close the kitchen door to prevent moisture spreading to other rooms.
Trickle Vents and Windows:
Keep trickle vents open (the little adjustable opening at the top of a window). They’re great at providing continuous airflow without losing too much warmth. Open windows for 10–15 minutes per day, even in winter (sorry!), to flush out moist air completely.
Managing Laundry and Moisture Sources
Did you know, drying clothes indoors is one of the largest contributors to condensation-related mould. One load of laundry can release several litres of water into the air! Here are a few solutions to help with reducing the moisture:
Outdoor or Tumble Dry:
Drying clothes outside or using a vented tumble dryer helps keep moist air outside the property.
Indoor Drying Best Practice:
However, we know outdoor drying isn’t always possible. So, when you do dry your clothes inside, place the drying rack in a well-ventilated room (e.g., bathroom with extractor fan on, or a room with a slightly open window). Try not to dry clothes directly on radiators, as it forces more moisture into the air.
Heaters and Appliances:
Try and avoid portable gas or paraffin heaters, as they produce extra water vapour, increasing indoor humidity.
The Power of Heat and Air Circulation
Mould thrives on cold surfaces, so keeping your home at a consistent, warm temperature helps prevent surfaces from dropping below the dew point (the temperature at which water vapour condenses).
Steady Heat is Key:
Maintain a low, constant background temperature. Heating consistently is more energy-efficient and effective at preventing mould than short bursts of high heat.
Free-Flowing Air:
Leave a small gap (1–2 inches) between furniture and external walls to allow air circulation, to prevent cold spots behind wardrobes, beds and sofas.
Wipe Down Condensation:
If you do start seeing condensation forming on windows, sills or walls, wipe it up immediately to remove water before any mould spores can grow.
The Secret Weapon: Dehumidifiers
Unfortunately, ventilation and heating aren’t always enough, especially in colder months or when drying laundry indoors… But, a dehumidifier can be a game-changer!
How It Works:
Dehumidifiers help remove extra moisture from the air and store it in a tank. By keeping the indoor humidity below 60%, they make it harder for mould to grow.
Affordable Options:
- Companies like Dunelm, Tesco, Lakeland, Debenhams and Amazon have lots of options below £30.
- There are also replaceable dehumidifiers / moisture absorbers from B&Q, Amazon, Dunelm, The Range and B&M all under £10, some even a 10x pack!
- But, if you’ve got a bit more cash to spend, The Telegraph have a recent article on the best dehumidifiers.
Placement Tips: Place in high-moisture areas (bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms) with windows and doors closed for maximum efficiency.
Important Note:
Dehumidifiers prevent new mould but do not remove existing mould. Always clean visible mould first with an anti-fungal solution.
Quick Additional Tips
- Squeegee After Showers: Wipe down shower screens and tiles to prevent water from evaporating.
- Close Moisture-Prone Room Doors: Prevent damp air from reaching colder areas.
- Use a Hygrometer: Measure RH and keep it below 60%.
- Dry Laundry Strategically: Ventilated rooms and dehumidifiers work best.
- Consistent Heating: Maintain even warmth in the home.
Health Check: Why Damp Matters
Damp and mould are not just a maintenance issue, they’re a health issue. Exposure to mould spores can trigger allergies, respiratory problems, and worsen asthma. In 2019, damp and/or mould in homes in England was associated with an estimated 5,000 asthma cases and 8,500 lower respiratory infections in children and adults.
Our Commitment
At Collective Property Co., we prioritise tenant well-being, property longevity and proactive maintenance. By combining landlord vigilance and tenant-friendly habits, we can keep properties safe, comfortable and mould-free.
