Report mould and damp in your home

If you live in a council owned house and you’re worried about mould and damp in your home, please get in touch with our repairs team as soon as possible.

Report mould or damp in the home

If you need help with fuel and energy costs to keep your home warm you can visit Here for You web page to find out what support is available and how to access it.

What is condensation and how does it occur?

Condensation appears as water droplets on cold surfaces such as walls, ceilings, and windows.

It occurs mainly during the winter months and when there is a high level of moisture within the air. Condensation forms as warm moist air cools down due a drop in temperature of the surrounding air.

Moisture can be caused by normal activities that you carry out within your home, for example:

Cooking
Washing dishes
Drying clothes
Bathing

If left untreated, your home can become the perfect environment for mould to grow. See the guidance on preventing condensation and mould.

What is mould and how does it occur?

Mould is a fungus which grows in homes when warm moist air settles on the coldest areas of the home, such as walls, windows, and ceilings. It appears as dark spots which begin to spread if left untreated.

Specialist cleaning solutions can be used to treat mould. If you have any areas within your home that contain mould and you are worried about it, please get in touch with our repairs team as soon as possible.

What is damp and how does it occur?

Damp will appear as marks, lines or stains on your walls. It can also cause paint or wallpaper to peel.

It occurs when water enters your property from the outside due to a damaged exterior, for example a leak from a roof or from an internal leak such as from a bath.

Rising damp rises from the ground up and can rise to 1 metre. It usually only starts to form downstairs. Any signs of damp upstairs or above 1 metre from the ground are likely to be because of a leak from above.

If you live in a council owned property and you’re worried about mould and damp in your home, please get in touch with our repairs team as soon as possible.

Extractor fans within Council Owned Homes

Your home should have at least one extractor fan fitted, usually in your bathroom. These fans are constant running fans that will remove warm moist air from your property. It is important that you don’t turn these fans off. When running constantly, these fans cost around £2 a year. They will help to remove steam before it cools and starts to form mould on your walls and ceilings.

How can I help to prevent condensation and mould

Following the handy hints and tips below can help prevent condensation and mould whilst living in your home.

Close the door to rooms with high moisture - keep the door closed to your bathroom and kitchen when bathing or cooking. This will help to prevent the moist air from entering the rest of your home. If the air escapes to the colder areas of your home, then mould could begin to form.
Keep your extract fan running - it constantly monitors the air and helps to remove the moist air which creates condensation.
Ventilate - if you can see steam, get it out. Extractor fans are no substitute for an open window.
Wipe down surfaces - if you see a build-up of condensation on your windows and hard surfaces, wiping away the condensation will help prevent mould from forming.
Single use dehumidifiers - they cost approximately £1 and are available from most supermarkets. They can help with low level condensation issues, such as in bedrooms, especially rooms that see little use and aren’t heated as much as the rest of your home.
Don’t block air vents - they are there to allow the house to breathe, they are essential in the movement of air around your home.
Dry clothes in well-ventilated areas - outside is the best but if you do have to dry clothes inside make sure it is in a well-ventilated area, with the door closed. Drying clothes releases more moisture into the air.
Heat your home - try to keep your home warm. Sudden bursts of temperature can add to the problem. It is much more energy efficient to keep your home at a steady temperature. If you are struggling to afford to heat your home, please visit Here for You to find out what support is available and how to access it.