Damp, mould and condensation

• Is the problem on north-facing walls, in the corner of a room, in cupboards, behind furniture or under work surfaces? This is usually the result of condensation, where there is little air movement.
• Can you see water droplets on windows or water pooling on window sills? This is condensation.
• Can you see mould, looking like black spots, along the edges of your skirting or ceilings? This is condensation.
• Is there a clearly defined damp stain? This might be penetrating damp or a water leak – you need to report this to us.
• Can you see a ‘tidemark’ on ground floor room walls, extending to around 900-1000mm above the floor surface? This is uncommon. You need to report this to us.

If you are in any doubt, please contact us.

• Keep lids on saucepans when cooking to reduce steam in the kitchen.
• Try not to dry clothes on radiators or racks indoors. If you have to do this, use the bathroom. Open a window to allow air to circulate and close the door to that room.
• If you use a tumble dryer, make sure it is vented to an open window or through an outside wall. Stop moisture spreading through your home. If your dryer has a built-in condenser, make sure that the filter is cleaned and cleared regularly.
• When you are cooking or bathing, use an extractor fan or open a window and keep the door closed. Keep the extractor fan on or the window open for about 20 minutes after you have finished (with the door closed).
• Leave trickle vents (the slotted vents in your window frames) open when rooms are occupied – even in the winter when your heating is on. These vents provide constant ventilation which removes water vapour.
• Don’t use paraffin or calor gas heaters.
• Leave a gap between your wall and the back of free standing furniture like wardrobes or cupboards. Try not to overfill cupboards, wardrobes and drawers so that air can circulate around the contents.
• When condensation appears, wipe it away. Ventilate moisture and wipe-away condensation.

Keep your home warm to avoid cold surfaces.

Condensation is worse in buildings which are constantly heating and cooling. The temperature in your home should be between 18-24°C. Using your central heating thermostat to prevent the temperature dropping below 15°C can prevent condensation forming. If your home is unoccupied during the day, use the heating timer to make sure that the house is warm when you get home. During very cold weather it is better to leave the heating on during the day to keep temperatures constant. If you don’t usually use all the rooms in your home, you still need to keep them warm, to avoid cold spots

If you notice mould in your home, please contact us straight away. We will work with you to stop it spreading and causing damage.

• When you let us know that you have mould in your home we will arrange to inspect and treat the issue.
• Once we have treated the issue please keep checking the affected area for at least a week.
• If the mould returns, please contact us again to let us know.
• When we have successfully treated the mould, you can redecorate. If you are wallpapering, choose a paste containing a fungicide to prevent further mould growth. A good quality fungicidal paint will also help to prevent mould.
• If mould or mildew is growing on clothing or carpets, you should dry clean them.

To help prevent mould returning, please try to control condensation in your home.

Good ventilation is the key to a healthy home. In a property of two people, each will contribute approximately 11 pints of moisture per day through breathing, showers, baths, boiling kettles, cooking and washing dishes.

Improved building features, such as cavity wall insulation, double-glazing and draught proofing mean that natural ventilation can be restricted. Stale, humid air is trapped, which can cause condensation problems. PIV units push air around a property to help create fresh and healthy indoor environments and eliminate isolated areas of moisture content within the home. Leaving internal doors open helps to draw the moisture from rooms and circulate the recycled clean air.

As the PIV units also control humidity levels, dust mite populations are reduced, which can significantly improve the health of asthma sufferers and people suffering from respiratory problems living in the home.

When do we fit PIV units?

PIV units are fitted as standard when we install a new kitchen or bathroom. The unit is normally fitted in the ceiling on the upstairs landing of a house and hallway in a flat. However, the location may vary due to restrictions for venting outside. On occasion, we may have to install an extractor fan to a kitchen/bathroom if it is not possible to fit a PIV unit. Also, if the kitchen or bathroom are remote to the PIV unit installed, we may also install an extractor fan to complement the PIV unit.

Who fits the PIV units?

Our contractors fit all PIV units. To find out more about PIV units, please see our guide to PIV units in the documents area.