Is your home damp?
A damp house can encourage mould increase and mites which can increase the risk of illness. Here are some tips to identify the causes and what to do.
Trickle Up Poverty
Water ingress
Damp caused by water penetrating from exterior has a concentrate of tell tale signs. Firstly water penetrating straight through brickwork will citation the salts and leave a white deposit called efflorescence. Secondly a leak will leave a tide mark. As the question gets worse supplementary ring marks will appear. It is a good idea to mark the outer ring and monitor to see how it progresses. Often it takes several attempts to solve a leak as water can tour in unusual routes.
If whether of these signs are apparent check for sure causes such as a leaking or blocked gutter/downpipe, objects stacked against the external wall bridging the damp proof course, leaking pipes, dripping overflows, damage to roof or missing tiles. If fixed quickly there will be less damage to the fabric of the building. For more serious problems or no sure signs get an scholar in. If you guess the damp proof policy is damaged or there is not one advice from a damp-proofing scholar will be required.
Condensation
A common cause of damp is condensation. Condensation occurs when moisture in the air hits a cold exterior and condenses. This is why it is more a question in cold weather. Signs of condensation are mould increase in the corners of a room, nearby windows, behind wardrobes/cupboards, above cookers and baths and sometimes on north facing walls.
It is significant to treat any mould existing first. Wash off mould with a fungicidal wash following the manufacturers instructions. Bleach can also be used but may damage surfaces and care is required not to get it on the skin. Do not brush or vacuum up mildew as is will disturb the spores. always dry clean clothes and shampoo carpets.
Redecorate surfaces with a ability fungicidal paint to help cut mould reoccurring.
The only way to cut condensation is to follow three simple steps.
1. Reduce moisture produced.
2. Insulate
3. Ventilate
There are very simple ways to cut moisture in the home by simply changing our lifestyle. These tips will make a big divergence to the moisture produced in the home.
o Vent tumble dryers (unless self condensing)
o Dry washing outside. If this is not possible hang washing up in the bathroom and leave a window open
o Try not to use portable gas heaters as they add more moisture in the air
o Cover saucepans when cooking.
o Do not leave a kettle to continuously boil.
If a home is warmer it reduces the likeliness of condensation. Insulation and draughtproofing is the most productive way of helping to keep your home warm and save money on our heating bills. Home improvements such as secondary or duplicate glazing will cut heat loss but you must ensure that windows are fitted with trickle vents. Cavity wall and loft insulation are also very effective. Check with you local council to se if any grants are available, pensioners and low revenue families commonly receive mountainous grants. There are clubs that will carry out works on a grant scheme. In very cold weather low background heating on all day will help keep the fabric of the building warm and cut moisture condensing on cold spots. Here are some significant tips of what not to do:
o Do not draughtproof the kitchen or bathroom
o Do not fully block up chimneys (always fit an air brick or grill)
o Do not block up ventilators
o Do not cover eaves ventilators when laying loft insulation
o Do no forget to draughtproof the loft hatch
It is possible to ventilate your home without development it draughty. Here are a few tips:
o If windows have trickle vents do use them. If your windows don't look into the cost of fitting them.
o Leave a gap between the back of furniture and an external wall. Where possible position furniture on internal walls.
o Open kitchen and bathroom windows and close the door when in use. If you have an extractor fan please use them they are very cheap to run. If you don not have an extractor fan in these rooms consider fitting them.
o When in a room open a small window.
o If the condensation is worse in the loft or ceiling below check the eaves ventilators are not blocked. If none are fitted consider fitting some. Some eaves ventilation systems are hard to spot so close inspection is required. always check what material a soffit is made from before purchasing a ventilator as some soffits in older houses are made from asbestos.
If you advent reducing condensation from the three simple steps you should find a dramatic difference. If no improvements are made seek professional advice.
guidance For Damp Homes
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