Damp and mould advice

Rising damp is caused by ground water moving up through a wall. It is usually stopped from causing damage by a barrier called a damp-proof course. Rising damp can cause damaged skirting boards and floorboards, crumbling, salt-stained plaster or a tide mark along the wall.

Penetrating damp

Penetrating damp is caused by water leaking through walls, usually because of structural problems such as:

• Leaking pipes, wastes or overflows
• A faulty roof
• A faulty or blocked gutter
• Leaking in around window frames
• Signs of penetrating damp are damp patches on walls, ceilings or floors, which may darken when it rains

Reporting damp

If you think there is a problem with your property or have already taken steps to eliminate damp in your home and you still have a problem, call NKDC Repairs Team on 01529 414155 who will arrange to inspect your property.

Condensation

Condensation is the most common type of damp that affects homes in the UK. The 'amount' of condensation in a home depends upon three factors:

1. How much water vapour is produced by actions of its residents
2. How cold or warm the property is
3. How much air circulation (ventilation) there is

Condensation occurs mainly during cold weather, in both wet and dry weather. You may notice water droplets on windows or walls, see dark mould appearing or notice an unpleasant smell. Mould appears on cold surfaces and in places where there is little movement of air such as in corners, around windows, in or behind wardrobes and cupboards.

To reduce condensation and the risk of mould growth you need to:

• Reduce the amount of moisture produced in the home
• Make sure there is enough ventilation and air circulation
• Increase the heating to raise the temperature of the air and cold surfaces
• Check the insulation is sufficient to keep the house warm

A dehumidifier may help in the short term but is not the answer to condensation problems in cold homes.

Produce less moisture

Normal daily activities can produce a lot of moisture very quickly, to reduce the problem you can:

• Close the doors and open a window or vent, or use an extractor fan where one is fitted to allow the moisture to escape in bathrooms and kitchens
• Put lids on saucepans when cooking and turn on extractor fans where available
• Avoid using portable flueless bottled gas heaters, these heaters put a lot of moisture in the air
• Dry washing outside on a line or put it in the bathroom with the door closed and the window open slightly or a fan on
• Tumble dryers should have a vent or hose outside of the house

Ventilation and heating

Striking the right balance between warmth and ventilation is important and can be very effective. By ventilating your home, you allow warm moisture-laden air to escape and let cool dry air to enter your home which is cheaper to heat than warm moist air!

Ventilate to remove moisture

Your home can be ventilated without being cold or making draughts. You can do this by:

• Keeping a small window ajar or a trickle vent open when someone is in the room and particularly ventilating kitchens and bathrooms when you are using them. You might not need to leave the windows open all day, just for a period of time
• Using your extractor fan (if you have one) when cooking and bathing
• Closing kitchen and bathroom doors when the rooms are in use to prevent moisture from reaching other rooms, especially bedrooms that are cooler and more likely to get condensation
• Ventilating cupboards and wardrobes. Avoid putting too many things in them, as this stops the air circulating
• Check that any wall vents have not been covered up. If so, try to uncover them or contact us for advice

Keep your home warm

In cold weather, keep a low background heating on all day, even when there is no-one at home. If your home is warmer, condensation is less likely to occur as this will keep the building warm so there are fewer cold surfaces for the moist air to form condensation. Insulation and draught proofing will also help keep your home warm and reduce fuel bills.

If you are worried about fuel bills or keeping your home warm, you can contact the Domestic Energy Officer who will visit you to help and advise you on keeping your home warm and affordable.

Contact the Council on 01529 414155 and ask for the Affordable Warmth Officer.

Black mould is the most common type of mould and is found in high humidity or condensation areas, for example windows and bathrooms. Black mould can grow on walls, ceilings, furnishings and even on clothes and toys.

White mould is most common in damp areas with less ventilation such as in lower levels in the property, for example basements, ground floor.

Green mould can also be found in bathrooms or kitchens with high moisture levels.

What you can do to kill and remove the mould

1. Carefully remove excess mould with a damp cloth and throw it away after
2. Wipe down walls and window frames with diluted bleach or a fungicidal wash, available from most DIY shops. Always use rubber gloves and wear safety glasses
3. After treatment redecorate using a fungicidal paint or wallpaper paste. Do not paint overusing an ordinary paint
4. Dry clean or wash mildewed clothes and shampoo carpets

What does North Kesteven District Council do

North Kesteven District Council takes damp and mould reports very seriously.

We aim to attend your property within 5 days of your report of damp and mould to inspect the mould present. We also aim to attend your property to inspect and order any repairs required to fix the issues possibly causing the damp and mould in your property within 7 days from the initial report. Following this, we aim to provide a summary of what we have found, what we plan to do and the timescales for these. We also provide advice on what to do in the meantime.

North Kesteven District Council also provides leaflets to our tenants on sign up at the property and these are available if you’d like one.

We also discuss damp and mould in our At Home magazine and provide advice on how to prevent it and how to report it.

You can find any updates on our damp and mould reported cases on our Damp and mould position statement webpage.

If you would like to request a leaflet, please call us on 01529 414155, or alternatively view the leaflet on our website.

If you would like to learn more about our Damp and Mould Policy, it can be viewed on our website.

Help and advice

Dealing with mould is not easy. Carrying out one or two of the above steps may not solve your problem and you may need several things each day to keep on top of it.

Who can I contact?

Help and advice is available, please reach out if you are struggling:

• Call the NKDC Repairs Team on 01529 414155 if you have ongoing problems in your council property or need further advice
• Call the Domestic Energy Officer on 01529 414155 for friendly and personal advice and help on how to stay warm and save money in your home

To view our Housing Damp and Mould Policy, visit our dedicated Housing strategies and policies webpage.

To view our Damp and Mould Position Statement, visit our dedicated Damp and Mould Position Statement webpage.