Winter is around the corner, and with it comes damp weather. In winters, houses could become living land for mould, which could pose a danger to property and health. Tenants often complain about dampness in the house and blame landlords for rising damp in the property, while landlords do the opposite and blame the tenant’s living style for this problem.
Although mould plays a crucial role in nature, your home’s bad presence is not welcome anytime. Mould can easily decompose rot carpeting, furniture, and some kinds of insulation. Many people have allergic reactions to it, and especially if the black mould is present in your surroundings, it could have a serious effect on your health. Black mould causes various reactions in people, ranging from skin irritation to breathing difficulty.
So no matter whoever is being blamed, there should be an authentic damp treatment to get rid of mould. Today in this article, we will discuss the best tips to deal with dampness caused by condensation, rising damp, and penetrating dampness in the house.
So without further ado, let’s start!
Tips To Prevent Damp & Mould This Winter
Keep Windows Open
It will help to keep moisture at bay rather than settling onto your house walls. However, when you’re not in a home, it’s better to keep them shut and properly locked. Let the outer air don’t let the moisture settling inside.
Bathrooms and kitchens are at a very high risk of developing mould, especially when you cook or shower. As an alternative, you could install air vents retro-fitted into windows if you’re afraid about letting the heat out.
Use Extractors Keep Ventilation Uncover
Ventilation helps deal with lots of moisture, especially if the room doesn’t have any windows. Always keep ventilation uncover, and you could also use extractor fans for this purpose. Clean extractor fans for smooth running, as these become clogged and lose power over time.
Put Lids On Pans
Start putting lids on pans; this way, you can keep moisture away and enjoy better and improved heat retention. It also helps cooking food much faster and easier.
Dry Clothes Outside
Don’t dry your clothes inside during winter, as it will allow moisture to settle onto walls and create an ideal condition for the mould and mildew to grow much faster.
Use A Good Quality Dehumidifier
The best tip is to use a good quality dehumidifier, which sucks water from the air and store it in a tank. However, you could empty the tank after that. You can go for a non-electrical dehumidifier which contains water-absorbing crystal. You can put them inside your wardrobe and even behind cupboards, which are mold-prone.
Keep Household Heating on a much low level
Winter is in its full swing, but that doesn’t mean you should keep household heating on a higher level. Always try to a main lower temperature for a longer time to maintain the house’s air at a moderate level, avoid the risk of condensation, and keep your house damp proofing.
You could find other ways to keep yourself warm.
Avoid Boiling in Kettles
Kettles boil water and turn it into vapours, which could create moisture. So it’s better to avoid boiling in kettles so that less moist air circulates in your home. Moreover, it will also save you electricity.
Wipe Windows Regularly
In the winter, windows get covered with condensation, which results due to outside air. However, the best solution is to wipe over the windows regularly with a dry cloth. As we know, where there is moisture, there will be mildew and mould. But this way, you can avoid mould growth.
Leave Internal Doors Open
Let the internal doors open to enable fresh air to circulate perfectly throughout the house, even at even temperature. This way, you will never allow moisture to settle in your house. Winter is undoubtedly ideal for mould infestation, so keeping windows and doors open will help avoid humid air buildup.
Clean Out furnishing, Toys & Clothes
Clear the clutter in your home, throw away old bric-a-brac and mouldy clothes. Mouldy clothes and toys need professional damp treatment to kill mould spores. However, cleaning the washing machine risks contaminating various other belongings because cleaning water may not be hot enough to kill the bacteria.
Clean Carpets
Cleaning your carpets is of utmost importance, especially when you feel an unpleasant odour coming out of your carpeted rooms. The reason is mould could be present there, which is invisible to the naked eye, so cleaning carpets ensure that you’re maintaining them properly.
So mentioned above are some amazing tips to prevent damp and mould this winter, follow them properly to see the results. However, if you find mould growth inside your house, you need to contact a professional damp surveyor and get advice of an expert.