DAMP, drizzly weather can bring mould into homes, and getting rid of it can be tricky.
Charity Shelter previously warned that up to 26% of all renters are affected by damp and mould, and it could be affecting the health of millions of people.
Hundreds of thousands of homes across England have condensation and mould problems.
Mould and mildew are caused when there is a high level of moisture in the air in your home.
Typically, mould will only start growing on a surface that’s been wet for at least 24 hours so if there’s any damp in your home, you could be at risk.
The issue is usually worse in humid rooms, like your bathroom, which can steam up after a hot shower.
The problem can cause unappealing patches to appear on your walls, and could even affect your health.
But there are ways to get rid of the household problem.
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Lee Devlin, managing director at Homecure Plumbers, is a mould expert and regularly helps customers tackling the problem in their home.
He started working in the industry 20 years ago, working his way up from an apprentice to director of his own business.
Here are his five top tips to combat condensation this winter:
Wipe down windows
If your windows are covered in condensation each morning, grab a squeegee.
Moisture builds up overnight as the inside of your home is warm and the outside temperature drops, leaving behind water droplets.
Remove any moisture from your windows and the sills with a squeegee, cloth or just plain kitchen role.
Lee says: “If mould has developed, dip the cloth in soapy water to help shift it – and remember to throw the cloth away after to stop spores spreading elsewhere in your home.”
Stop steam spreading
Your bathroom is an obvious place where steam builds up, particularly in the winter when you want a hot shower or bath to warm up.
Simply opening the window or using an extractor fan can help ventilate to room to stop steamy air building up.
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Keeping the bathroom door closed will make sure the humidity doesn’t escape to other rooms in your home.
But don't forget other rooms of the house – boiling pots and pan release steam when you're cooking too, so use lids where you can.
Lee says: "Even general human activity like breathing releases water vapour into the air, so it's worth opening your windows once a day for 15 minutes to get rid of excess moisture in the air – in the morning is the best time to do this."
Keep your house warm
Keeping your home at a consistent temperature will help condensation building up on walls and windows.
Lee says: "A good tip is to set your heating to come on at regular intervals through the day to keep the temperature steady."
Keeping warmth in your home is key too, using insulation and draught excluders.
Loft insulation costs from around £5 per square metre, but it could wipe up to £315 a year off your energy bill – and you might be able to get a grant to help cover the cost.
If you've got draughty doors and windows, you'll have "cold spots" in your home, increasing the likelihood that condensation will build up.
Ideally, you'd replace any old doors and windows but cheap solutions like draught-excluding tape cost as little as £3 and could shave hundreds off your energy bills.
Even shutting your curtains and blinds to trap warm in and reduce draughts will help, adds Lee.
Watch your washing
Hanging wet clothes inside is a must during winter months as you can hardly dry them in the garden, but this is one of the biggest causes of moisture in the home, according to Lee.
"If you can hang washing outside or use a tumble dryer, you should, but if you can't do either then hang your clothes close to ventilated spots in your home, ideally with a dehumidifier nearby," he says.
Dehumidifiers help to reduce moisture in the air, but they can be quite expensive to buy and run.
One alternative is reusable desiccant silica bags, and a heated air dryer could help too.
You could also invest in humidity-lowering plants to position around your home, for a more aesthetically pleasing option, suggest Lee.
Plants such as Peace Lilies, Spider Plants, Orchids and Cacti can help pull moisture from the air and improve the air quality in your home.
Look out for leaks
Winter is prime time for blocked or frozen pipes and leaks, so it's important to keep an eye out for any problems.
Anything that could lead to water overflow or cause it seep where it shouldn't will cause moisture issues – or even flooding – in your home.
Make sure you bleed your radiators regularly – this will also mean they run more efficiently, and keep your home warmer.
Outside, check your gutters and downspouts are clear and not overflowing, which can be more common through the colder months with snow, ice and leaves wreaking havoc.
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