Many people experience issues with damp and mould in their property and it is often more common during the colder months, but few understand the causes or how it can be prevented.
It is frequently assumed that the problem lies with the property itself and moisture is penetrating from outside. This is seldom the case and typically the mould growth that people experience in their homes is most likely to be the result of condensation.
Here you will find some useful information about the causes of damp and mould in the property and helpful tips and advice about how to prevent it.
The air around us always contains levels of moisture, we can sometimes see it as steam, but it is often invisible. This moisture is water which has been heated and becomes water vapour contained in the air. When the air comes in to contact with a cold surface like a wall or window, it cools and can no longer hold the moisture and so droplets of water appear.
You will have seen this process in the bathroom when steam from the shower or bath cools on the mirror and it becomes wet or when you take an ice cold drinks can from the fridge and waters starts to form around its surface. The water you see when water vapour is cooled and returns to water, is called condensation.
In our homes the coldest surfaces are often walls (particularly outside walls) and windows. That is why condensation will occur more here.
Water vapor is created during many normal day-to-day activities in the home. Cooking, drying laundry, bathing and showering are all responsible for heating water and turning it in to water vapour. The table below provides an insight in to how much water vapour is typically created by these types of activities:
This is quite a lot of water to become trapped inside your home. When it cools it will create condensation and leave surfaces wet and damp.
Mould is a type of fungi, which is a naturally occurring organism and is already present in our environment. Mould will grow best in damp poorly ventilated areas. So, when condensation creates damp surfaces, the fungi which is already present, will start to grow. That is why you will see mould growing in the corners of walls, around windows, in or behind wardrobes and beds which are pushed up to the wall and preventing air from circulating.
There are lots of thigs you can do to prevent condensation from occurring, the three main principles are to 1) reduce the amount of water vapour you are creating, 2) heat your home adequately so that surfaces are not so cold and 3) ventilate your home so that water vapour can escape and air can circulate.
Here are some handy tips on how you can tackle condensation and prevent mould from forming.
Produce less Water Vapour
Ventilate
Heat Adequately
If you notice mould growing in your home, you should treat it straight away and stop it from spreading and causing more damage.
The Property Hive are here to help, please give us a buzz on 01302 247754 should you require any advise regarding your home.
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Doncaster, DN4 7JA
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