How to prevent Damp in your home
Damp is one of the last things we want to find in our home. Whether you’re a homeowner or a renter, it’s never a good thing. It can make a room feel cold, unwelcoming and unhealthy. Condensation can cause damp anywhere and once it’s taken hold it can be difficult to get rid of. As well as looking awful, damp and mould can lead to structural problems and health issues too. As with anything, it’s easier to prevent these problems than to treat them. Below we look at some of the ways you can prevent damp in your home.
How to prevent it
Luckily, there are many ways to help prevent damp from entering your home. Keeping your property warm is a vital one. Condensation occurs when warm, moist air touches a cold surface like a cool windowpane or a cold external wall. Whilst home improvements such as double glazing save energy, they also increase the relative humidity inside a property.
A lot of water vapour is created inside the house by everyday activities such as cooking and showering. This warm water vapour tends to settle on cold walls, leading to condensation. As you might imagine, this might be hidden or hard to treat, so it can easily lead to damp and mould. When showering, keep the bathroom closed and open your bathroom window to allow the moisture to escape and reduce condensation.
Condensation can also form behind furniture and furnishings that touch colder outer walls. This can result in eventual mould growth. Try to position furniture a few centimetres away from external walls, to allow air to circulate.
When the weather is favourable, it’s also a great idea to open the windows in your property. This will allow better air flow and provide a way for excess moisture to escape.
It’s also vital you keep on top of outdoor home maintenance. Check your roof regularly for damage, especially after stormy weather. Keep gutters clear and fix or replace as soon as any damage occurs.
How we can help
Damp can often be masked by a lick of paint for a short period of time, but it won’t solve the problem indefinitely. The longer the damp is left, the more expensive it can be to rectify. That’s why homeowners often paint their properties before allowing viewers in and purchasers get a nasty shock a few months down the line when their walls start growing speckled black mould. A RICS Chartered Surveyor knows how to identify damp in any property and can advise on how this will disrupt the asking price of the property.
If you would like any further information on how using a surveyor can help, please do get in touch, we would be happy to talk and learn more about your requirements.
