No one likes to see damp or mould patches in their home. When we go to open your front or back door and there’s condensation on the handle, it’s not what you expect! However, these are things that occur in homes up and down the country. So we have decided to have #TheLastDraught on all things damp, mould and condensation.

What do we even mean by damp, mould and condensation?

Did you know that mould is caused by damp and damp is caused by condensation? All three are linked to how you can keep your home safe, warm and ventilated. Damp refers to the presence of moisture and water in your home. It can easily occur without warning and it can have an effect on the structure of your home, as well as impact on your health if not treated. Condensation occurs when the air and/or your surfaces are cold and when moisture in the air is high – like when you have a hot shower and don’t open a window, you get steamy wet windows.

Where is a lack of air movement, like in corners, on or near windows or behind furniture and cupboards, this can cause condensation which leads to damp patches and can eventually lead to mould.

Signs you have damp in your home

  • Musty smell: A damp room has a musty, distinctive scent. As soon as you open a door you won’t be able to mistake it.
  • Wall marks: Dark marks on the wall are all signs that you could have damp. Damp can also manifest as discoloured plaster, caused by moisture in the wall.
  • Lifting or peeling wallpaper: If you find your wallpaper is curling away from the wall, this is likely to be caused by internal moisture, a sign of damp.
  • Cold walls: If your internal walls are cold to touch this could be a sign of damp forming. Internal walls should be warm and dry to touch if there is no moisture trapped in them.
  • Excessive condensation on windows: Condensation around windows is common in winter. However, an excessive amount that never seems to clear is a sign that you could have damp.

It’s why we have pulled together some top tips on what you can do to try and reduce the amount of damp and mould in your homes.

Tips for reducing condensation and damp

  • Let air flow through home by opening windows wherever possible
  • If you have a shower, then open the window and close the bathroom door
  • Cover your saucepan with its lid when cooking
  • Wipe down your windows and their sills in the mornings as it stops damp / mould from building up
  • Open your curtains and blinds during the day to warm rooms up naturally and prevent moisture being trapped around the windows.
  • Each morning, pull back bed covers to allow moisture to escape rather than trapping it by making your bed straight away
  • If you’ve no choice but to dry clothes indoors, place them on a clothes horse (not a radiator) near an open window or in a room with an extractor fan.

Tips for getting rid of mould in your home

  • You can make your own spray! Mix four parts water and one part bleach and put into a spray bottle. Gently wipe the mould until it disappears using a moist cloth. When finished, use a soft cloth to thoroughly dry the area.

Did you know that it costs just 10p a week to run your extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom?

We know that times aren’t easy for many of our community, with energy prices and the cost-of-living crisis continuing to have an effect on the money in our pockets. We are responsible for making sure that your home is safe and can keep you warm, by servicing your boilers for example, but we are unable to cover the costs of heating. However, we are here to help you keep your home warm through other methods such as financial support through government schemes. By working together, we can ensure that dampness and mould are avoided.

We have a dedicated page all about how we can work together to ensure your home is fit for human habitation under the Renting Homes Wales Act.

While it’s doubtful that all issues will be resolved straight away and at times, more than one visit to your house will be necessary, we will work with you to make sure that this fits with your schedule and that we keep you informed at every stage.

It really is time to have #TheLastDraught and look out for more hints and tips on our social media pages!