Damp and mould can be a major problem in properties and
cause serious damage to a home.
Condensation is the most common cause of dampness and accounts
for the majority of reported problems.
It can be controlled and is directly associated with mould
growth. For further
information visit our
Condensation
and
Condensation control pages.
Condensation is not the only cause of damp and the following can
also cause damp and mould problems:
- Penetrating damp or water ingress - Caused when
water enters a property above its damp-proof course, for
example, through defective brickwork, leaky pipes, roofs
or overflows
- Rising damp - Caused by water rising by capillary
action through a property's defective damp-proof
course. The most common cause but least likely to cause
problems
Rising damp normally only affects a property up to around 4ft
from ground level while penetrating damp tends to affect the upper
parts of a property.
All the above often leave a tidemark but if you do not
think the damp comes from any of these causes and there is no
tidemark then it is probably
condensation.
If you have a new home it may be damp because of the
water used during its construction, for example, in plastering
works, is still drying out.
If your home is damp for any of these reasons it may take weeks
of heating and ventilation to dry out and hiring a dehumidifier
will help.
Damp can also cause the growth of mould and fungi in a
property which can ultimately damage a building's
structure.
However, you can kill and remove mould by wiping down walls and
window frames with a fungicidal wash with
a Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
approval number.
You should then dry clean mildewed clothes and shampoo
carpets as brushing or vacuuming carpets can cause
respiratory problems by spreading mould spores.
Following treatment you should redecorate using an
anti-mould or fungicidal paint and then deal with the basic problem
of condensation and dampness
This is the only lasting way of tackling severe mould and if
you follow these steps then mould should not
reappear.
If you are a tenant and suffer from damp and mould in your
property then you should contact your landlord to advise them of
the problem.
A landlord should then arrange for a specialist to inspect the
damp to confirm its cause.
