Now that the weather is turning colder and wetter, you will need to consider how susceptible our home is to mould and condensation.
Some of the early warning signs are:
- Water dripping down your window panes
- Peeling wallpaper, discolouration, and wet walls and/or ceilings
- Unpleasant odours that normal domestic cleaning does not improve
Your local council and your agent/landlord will have lots of advice to help you keep on top of these issues, such as:
- Keeping your home well heated and ventilated
- Wiping/drying any areas where moisture is accumulating each day.
- Not drying laundry inside the property.
- Using mould removal spray to areas that are particularly effected
The method is simple:
- Open several windows on opposite sides of your home to create a strong cross-draught. Where this is not possible, concentrate on the moisture rich areas such as your kitchen and bathrooms, and also bedrooms in the morning.
- Make sure the interior doors are all open too, this allows the air to circulate throughout the whole property, filling each room with fresh air and letting any excess atmospheric moisture out
- Leave everything open like this for 10 minutes each day. In theory this short sharp blast should be enough to clear out the damp air, without giving the walls, floors and furniture time to lose their warmth. If the property is kept warm as you have been advised, this can be very effective.
You will find that there are particular times of the day where extra attention is needed, and further ‘burping’ may be necessary:
| First thing in the morning
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Bedrooms collect a surprising amount of moisture overnight.
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| After a shower or bath
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Bathrooms can release a big burst of water vapour into the air.
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| Post-cooking
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Steam from pans and kettles can quickly cling to windows and walls. Another way you can improve during this time is to keep the kitchen door closed (where possible) during cooking or when creating even a small amount of steam.
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We would also advise that you do the following:
- Before the weather gets colder, check that your extractor fans and radiators are in good working order. Report any faults to our maintenance portal.
- Do not dry clothes in the property. This is a breach of tenancy as drying clothes indoors is one of the biggest causes of extra moisture in the home. Hanging laundry over radiators traps moisture within area that it surrounds
- Make sure that you open the curtains and blinds during daylight time. Sunlight really helps to keep your rooms warmer, and is free! Sunlight can also help to kill mould spores.
- By pulling back your bedding each morning you will allow any moisture trapped to escape your bed instead of staying sealed under covers all day. This will help to dry the bedding out, and will reduce overnight condensation that occurs when the bedding warms up while in use.
- Make sure that your extractor fans and vents are in good working order, not covered up, and are cleaned of dust regularly, to maintain maximum efficiency.
By targeting the issue at these key times and in the key spaces, and doing the necessary checks in advance, you will reduce condensation before it can build up and help your home feel cleaner and cosier through the winter months.
It is the responsibility of you as tenants to find the method that works for you and your property, and to head the advice we have given within your contract and also by your local authority.
