Damp and mould is a cause for concern in any property.

Not only does it look and smell unpleasant – it can also be dangerous.

We all read about the tragic case of the toddler who died from a respiratory condition caused by exposure to mould in his home.

Damp and mould are, unfortunately, common problems in the UK, especially during the colder months. There are measures that every householder can take to prevent it, but if you’re a landlord and not living in the property, you must make sure the tenant is aware of what to do to prevent damp and mould from occurring and what actions to take if it starts to appear in the property.

There are a number of causes:

• Usually, mould is caused by condensation but it can also appear as a result of damp;
• Poor ventilation;
• Inadequate heating;
• Water entering the property through holes, cracks or leaking pipes;
• High levels of water vapour created inside the property;
• Rising damp which spreads from the ground up and infests the fabric of the property.

Condensation can occur just about anywhere in a property but it appears when warm air hits a cold surface. It can most usually be found on windows and mirrors, in kitchens and bathrooms, in the corners of unheated rooms or even inside cupboards and wardrobes.

Everyday things

Consider the number of times a person will expose a cold house to steam. It’s created when they take a bath or  a shower, when they make a cup of tea or coffee, when they cook. These everyday things create warm, moist steam which drifts around the room until it hits a cold surface forms condensation and turns to water.

But just as condensation is caused by mundane daily-living, so is its enemy – dryness.

This is what a householder or a tenant can do to prevent condensation, damp and mould:

• When the weather allows, open some windows;
• Avoid drying clothes inside the house;
• If you must, put a clothes rack in a ventilated room and close the door;
• Keep the bathroom door closed when you bathe;
• Have the kitchen door closed when you cook;
• Keep lids on pots and pans when cooking;
• Wipe moisture from the inside of windows;
• Keep the indoor temperature over 18 degrees;
• Avoid having too many houseplants;
• Make sure the tumbledryer is vented to the exterior;
• Keep furniture away from outside walls to allow the air to circulate.

If you’ve taken all the precautions listed above and the problem still perists, if you’re a homeowner contact a damp and mould surveyor.

If you’re a landlord you must tell your tenants to contact you urgently at the first signs of damp or mould taking hold.

Once it gets a grip on your property it can be extremely difficult and expensive to eradicate. Left unchecked for longer periods it can lead to structural damage and impact the health of those living in the house.

A qualified surveyor can advise on putting damp-proofing measures in place, stop the damp and mould and prevent it from re-occurring.

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To find out more about our services and current operations, please get in touch with our expert team today. You can find out how much you could be charging in rent each month in the current market by requesting a free and instant online valuation here.