Condensation, damp or mould

Condensation and damp - what's the difference?
Condensation is caused by warm, moist air coming into contact with cold surfaces, such as windows and walls. Penetrating damp, which is much less common, is caused by moisture entering the home from an external source, such as leaking plumbing or moisture from the ground.

 

We understand condensation, damp and mould can be concerning, so we take these issues seriously. If you are worried that there is a damp or mould issue in your property, please get in touch and let us know by emailing hello@saxonweald.com or calling 01403 226000. We'll ask you a few simple questions to help give us an idea about the scale and severity of the problem. We will also ask if you are able to send us some photos.

 

We will then arrange for HomeFix to visit your home to wash down and treat the affected area. The operative will also carry out some checks on your home to see if there are any underlying issues causing the damp and mould. Depending on the outcome of these checks, we may need to send a surveyor to do a further inspection, or book in further works such as fitting an extractor fan or repairing roof damage.

Tackling condensation

While damp is an issue that requires further investigation, there are some ways we can all reduce the impact of condensation in our homes:

 

1. Reducing moisture:
   Condensation is caused when warm damp air meets cold surfaces. Cutting down
   moisture levels in our homes can reduce this. When cooking, keep lids on saucepans where possible and close kitchen doors to stop steam from escaping. When taking a bath or a shower, keep the bathroom door closed and wipe down wet surfaces after use. Opening windows and using extractor fans, if you have them, can also help damp air escape.
2. Drying laundry:
   During the winter, we may be more likely to dry wet clothes inside and on radiators.
   Unfortunately, this can put moisture back into the air. If possible, hang washing outside to dry. If this is not possible, keeping a window open will help moisture escape.
3. Air circulation:
   A lack of ventilation can cause dampness and a musty smell in our homes. We can help air to circulate by keeping furniture away from walls, not blocking radiators or overfilling wardrobes and cupboards. Opening the windows for ten minutes each morning is also great to let in some fresh air. While it may be chilly, the fresh air will take less energy to heat up than the damp air in our homes.
4. Heating:
   We understand that keeping the heating on is not always possible, especially with the
   current cost of energy. However, maintaining a low temperature of at least 15°c can
   help reduce condensation in our homes.

 

 

For more information on tackling condensation, check out our handy leaflet below, as well as our damp, condensation and mould policy.