How to Prevent Damp – Causes and Treatment

Damp is that dreaded problem that can occur in any house. So what can you do to prevent damp, what causes it and how can you treat it?

What Causes Damp?

Mould on the walls, on furniture, as well as timber window frames rotting can all be caused by damp.

The causes of damp can be: excessive condensation, leaking pipes, holes in the roof or walls, or blocked gutters.

Damp can also be present in recently built houses where water used during construction is still drying out.

However, the most common cause of damp is poor ventilation or heating.

Who’s Responsible for it?

Landlords are responsible for keeping the property wind and watertight.

However, tenants are responsible for keeping the property in a good state of repair, which includes how to prevent damp.

How to Treat Mould with Baking Soda

Is mould building up due to the lack of ventilation for moisture?

Then see below for our simple baking soda solution and 5 step mould cleaning process.

You will need:

•  ¼ Teaspoon Baking Soda
• 2 cups of water
• 1 spray bottle
• 1 brush/sponge

Note: you may want to wear gloves when cleaning mould.

You need to:

1. Add the ¼ teaspoon baking soda to the 2 cups of water.
2. Pour the solution into the spray bottle
3. Spray the mouldy area and scrub with the brush/sponge
4. Rinse the area
5. Treat the area again with the baking soda solution to prevent mould from returning.

Note: if you don’t have a spray bottle, you could use a bowl, or bucket and apply the solution manually with a sponge, or brush.

To prevent mould building up again, make sure you follow our handy tips below.

How to Prevent Damp in Your Home

In your bathroom:

1. Use extractor fans or open windows. This prevents a build-up of condensation
2. Don’t turn off your extractor fan as soon as you finish. Moisture can still be in the air even when you have finished.
3. Wipe down damp surfaces after a bath or shower. This prevents the moisture spreading in the air.
4. Don’t leave damp towels in the room. This can lead to excessive moisture in the air.

In your kitchen:

1. Close the door when cooking food, or boiling the kettle. This prevents moisture from spreading in the air.
2. Cover your pan with a lid. This reduces moisture created from water boiling.
3. Use your extractor fan/hood (if you have one installed). This reduces moisture created when cooking.
4. Don’t turn off your extractor fan when you finish cooking. Moisture can still be in the air even when you have finished cooking, so leave it on afterwards for 10 minutes so as to help clear the air.

In your bedroom:

• Wipe away condensation build up on windows in the morning, particularly in winter. This can reduce the excess moisture in the room and prevent your window frames and ledges from rotting.
• Do not overfill your wardrobes. A lack of ventilation and air moisture trapped in warm overfilled cupboards can become a breeding ground for mould. A sure sign is a musty smell or a damp feeling when you open the door.
• Keep furniture at least 50mm away from the exterior walls. This is so air can circulate around the property.
• Place wardrobes against internal walls. These are less cold than external walls and are less likely to cause damp and mould problems.
• Open a window slightly if you use a room on a regular basis. This helps improve the ventilation in the room. Breathing is a major cause of condensation, so this will help to improve the ventilation in your property.
• Don’t dry lots of clothes on radiators. This can cause a build-up of condensation, which can lead to damp problems.

With over 30 years experience in letting property, you can have it on good authority that these tips will help you prevent damp, treat mould, as well as identify the common causes of it.

What do you think? Did these tips help you identify, treat or prevent damp? Did we miss any? Let us know in the comments!