Damp can cause structural damage to your home as well as making some health problems worse.
There are four main causes of damp:
- Condensation causes damp areas by soaking into absorbent surfaces like wallpaper and paint. These damp areas often attract black mould. This is the biggest cause of damp in homes and is easily prevented
- Rising damp is caused by water rising from the ground but most homes are protected against this
- Caused by structural defects, such as missing roof tiles, penetrating damp is usually found on external walls or ceilings following rain
- Leaky water and waste pipes will make affected areas look and feel damp regardless of the weather conditions outside.
Dealing with condensation and mould
Cooking, running taps, and even breathing produces water vapour.
The easiest way to prevent damp and mould caused by condensation is to:
- Open a window when in the kitchen or bathroom
- Shut internal doors when cooking, showering, washing up
- Use lids on pans
- Wipe down sills
- Dry clothes outside
- Air rooms regularly
Warmth in the damper and cooler months also helps. Good insulation is the best and cheapest way to achieve this.
If you suspect damp due to rising damp, penetrative damp or plumbing then please report a repair to get the problem resolved before it causes too much damage.
To find out more and to better protect your home read our Preventing damp leaflet.