Damp and mould can affect both your home and health. For families and patients on Long-Term Ventilation (LTV), maintaining good air quality and reducing excess moisture is especially important. This guide explains the causes of damp and mould and provides practical steps to manage them.

Understanding Damp & Mould

What is Damp & Mould?

Damp occurs when excess moisture builds up in a property and has nowhere to escape. This can lead to mould growth, a type of fungus that thrives in damp environments. Both damp and mould can damage property and contribute to respiratory conditions, particularly for those with underlying health concerns.

Causes of Damp & Mould

• Leaks – Water from leaking pipes, roofs, or window frames soaking into walls or ceilings.
• Structural issues – Blocked gutters, cracks in walls, or broken roof tiles allowing rainwater in.
• Rising damp – Moisture from the ground moving up through walls due to a missing or damaged damp-proof course.
• Condensation – The most common cause, occurring when warm air meets a cold surface, creating moisture build up.

How to Identify Damp & Mould

• Damp patches on walls, ceilings, or floors that feel wet or cold.
• Peeling wallpaper or bubbling paint.
• Musty or damp smell.
• Black, green, or brown mould patches appearing on walls, ceilings, or furniture.
• Steamed-up windows or condensation on walls, particularly in the morning.

How to Treat & Prevent Damp & Mould

• Check for leaks and repair them promptly.
• Keep gutters and drains clear to prevent water build up.
• Improve ventilation by opening windows or using extractor fans.
• Use a dehumidifier if moisture levels remain high.
• Remove existing mould using warm soapy water or a specialist mould cleaner.
• Use anti-mould paint in high-risk areas like bathrooms and kitchens.
• Fix underlying damp issues to stop mould from returning.

Understanding Condensation

What is Condensation?

Condensation occurs when warm, moist air meets a cold surface, turning moisture into water droplets. If not controlled, it can lead to damp and mould.

Causes of Condensation

• Cooking, showering, and drying clothes indoors without proper ventilation.
• Poor heating, leading to cold surfaces where moisture collects.
• Blocked air vents or lack of extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms.

How to Identify Condensation

• Water droplets on windows and walls, particularly in the morning.
• Steamed-up windows and mirrors.
• Black mould forming around window frames or bathroom tiles.
• Damp patches in corners or behind large furniture.

How to Treat & Prevent Condensation

• Open windows or use extractor fans when cooking or bathing.
• Keep a steady temperature to avoid cold surfaces where moisture can settle.
• Avoid drying clothes indoors where possible or use a dehumidifier.
• Wipe down windows and surfaces where condensation builds up.

Managing Damp, Mould & Condensation

Tips on How to Deal with Damp, Mould & Condensation

• Maintain a steady temperature to prevent cold spots where damp can form.
• Use dehumidifiers in high-moisture areas to reduce humidity.
• Ensure good ventilation by keeping windows slightly open or using trickle vents.
• Close kitchen and bathroom doors when cooking or bathing to contain steam.
• Refer to the Welfare Support section of our website for advice on energy support, grants, and benefits that can help with heating and keeping your home warm.

How to Report a Damp or Mould Issue

Steps to Report Damp & Mould

If you are a social housing tenant, you should first report the issue to your landlord or housing provider.

If you rent your home, your landlord is responsible for repairing damp and mould caused by structural problems or leaks. If they do not take action, you can report the issue to your local council or environmental health team.

Steps to Report Damp & Mould

1. Inform your landlord – Report the problem in writing and keep a record.
2. Provide evidence – Take photos of the affected areas.
3. Request an inspection if your landlord does not take action.
4. Contact environmental health if the issue is severe and affecting health.

For homeowners, managing damp and mould involves checking for leaks, improving ventilation, and using dehumidifiers. If you need additional support, refer to our Charity eBook for resources on improving home conditions, and visit our Grants section for financial support options to make your home safer and more comfortable.

Resources & Further Help

• 📺 Watch the Shelter Video: How to Deal with Damp & Mould – This video provides practical guidance on how to manage damp and mould issues.
• 🏠 Free Advice from Shelter – Shelter offers free housing advice, including support for tenants dealing with damp and mould problems. Visit Shelter’s website for more information.
• 🏠 Find Your Local Council – Check your local council’s website for support with reporting damp and mould.
• 💡 Energy Efficiency & Grants – Visit our Grants section to explore financial support for home insulation and heating improvements.
• 📖 Charity eBook – Our Charity eBook provides information on additional resources to help improve your home environment.

Taking proactive steps to reduce moisture and improve ventilation can help prevent damp and mould. If you need further assistance, explore the resources above or contact relevant support services, or speak to a healthcare professional for advice on managing any health concerns related to damp and mould exposure. 

Damp and mould can affect both your home and health. For families and patients on Long-Term Ventilation (LTV), maintaining good air quality and reducing excess moisture is especially important. This guide explains the causes of damp and mould and provides practical steps to manage them.

Understanding Damp & Mould

What is Damp & Mould?

Damp occurs when excess moisture builds up in a property and has nowhere to escape. This can lead to mould growth, a type of fungus that thrives in damp environments. Both damp and mould can damage property and contribute to respiratory conditions, particularly for those with underlying health concerns.

Causes of Damp & Mould

• Leaks – Water from leaking pipes, roofs, or window frames soaking into walls or ceilings.
• Structural issues – Blocked gutters, cracks in walls, or broken roof tiles allowing rainwater in.
• Rising damp – Moisture from the ground moving up through walls due to a missing or damaged damp-proof course.
• Condensation – The most common cause, occurring when warm air meets a cold surface, creating moisture build up.

How to Identify Damp & Mould

• Damp patches on walls, ceilings, or floors that feel wet or cold.
• Peeling wallpaper or bubbling paint.
• Musty or damp smell.
• Black, green, or brown mould patches appearing on walls, ceilings, or furniture.
• Steamed-up windows or condensation on walls, particularly in the morning.

How to Treat & Prevent Damp & Mould

• Check for leaks and repair them promptly.
• Keep gutters and drains clear to prevent water build up.
• Improve ventilation by opening windows or using extractor fans.
• Use a dehumidifier if moisture levels remain high.
• Remove existing mould using warm soapy water or a specialist mould cleaner.
• Use anti-mould paint in high-risk areas like bathrooms and kitchens.
• Fix underlying damp issues to stop mould from returning.

Understanding Condensation

What is Condensation?

Condensation occurs when warm, moist air meets a cold surface, turning moisture into water droplets. If not controlled, it can lead to damp and mould.

Causes of Condensation

• Cooking, showering, and drying clothes indoors without proper ventilation.
• Poor heating, leading to cold surfaces where moisture collects.
• Blocked air vents or lack of extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms.

How to Identify Condensation

• Water droplets on windows and walls, particularly in the morning.
• Steamed-up windows and mirrors.
• Black mould forming around window frames or bathroom tiles.
• Damp patches in corners or behind large furniture.

How to Treat & Prevent Condensation

• Open windows or use extractor fans when cooking or bathing.
• Keep a steady temperature to avoid cold surfaces where moisture can settle.
• Avoid drying clothes indoors where possible or use a dehumidifier.
• Wipe down windows and surfaces where condensation builds up.

Managing Damp, Mould & Condensation

Tips on How to Deal with Damp, Mould & Condensation

• Maintain a steady temperature to prevent cold spots where damp can form.
• Use dehumidifiers in high-moisture areas to reduce humidity.
• Ensure good ventilation by keeping windows slightly open or using trickle vents.
• Close kitchen and bathroom doors when cooking or bathing to contain steam.
• Refer to the Welfare Support section of our website for advice on energy support, grants, and benefits that can help with heating and keeping your home warm.

How to Report a Damp or Mould Issue

Steps to Report Damp & Mould

If you are a social housing tenant, you should first report the issue to your landlord or housing provider.

If you rent your home, your landlord is responsible for repairing damp and mould caused by structural problems or leaks. If they do not take action, you can report the issue to your local council or environmental health team.

Steps to Report Damp & Mould

1. Inform your landlord – Report the problem in writing and keep a record.
2. Provide evidence – Take photos of the affected areas.
3. Request an inspection if your landlord does not take action.
4. Contact environmental health if the issue is severe and affecting health.

For homeowners, managing damp and mould involves checking for leaks, improving ventilation, and using dehumidifiers. If you need additional support, refer to our Charity eBook for resources on improving home conditions, and visit our Grants section for financial support options to make your home safer and more comfortable.

Resources & Further Help

• 📺 Watch the Shelter Video: How to Deal with Damp & Mould – This video provides practical guidance on how to manage damp and mould issues.
• 🏠 Free Advice from Shelter – Shelter offers free housing advice, including support for tenants dealing with damp and mould problems. Visit Shelter’s website for more information.
• 🏠 Find Your Local Council – Check your local council’s website for support with reporting damp and mould.
• 💡 Energy Efficiency & Grants – Visit our Grants section to explore financial support for home insulation and heating improvements.
• 📖 Charity eBook – Our Charity eBook provides information on additional resources to help improve your home environment.

Taking proactive steps to reduce moisture and improve ventilation can help prevent damp and mould. If you need further assistance, explore the resources above or contact relevant support services, or speak to a healthcare professional for advice on managing any health concerns related to damp and mould exposure.