Condensation, damp or mould
What to do if you have a problem with damp or mould
If you are experiencing a problem with condensation, damp or mould, we can help.
One of our surveyors can visit you at home. They will investigate the cause of the damp and will give advice about dealing with it. They will also assess ways we may need to improve ventilation or heating and arrange for any necessary repairs, if there is a leak.
Contact us on 020 8354 5500 or email us at info@octavia.org.uk to report a damp or mould problem.
You can watch a video on how to prevent condensation, damp and mould here.
What is condensation?
Even though you can’t see it, all air contains water vapour. The warmer the air, the more water it contains. When warm air, such as air from cooking, and even people breathing, comes into contact with cold surfaces it turns into droplets of water. This is condensation.
Inside homes these cold surfaces include areas such as:
- windows
- metal window frames
- cold water pipes
- inside surface of external walls
Condensation can cause damage to your home, for example by the water droplets soaking into and spoiling fabrics, paintwork, wallpaper and wall plaster.
Every home will get condensation from time to time. It’s formed from the moisture we produce as we cook, wash, dry clothes and go about our everyday lives.
The amount of condensation produced in a home depends on three factors:
- how much water vapour is created
- how cold or warm the home is
- how much ventilation there is
All three of the factors above may need to be looked at to reduce condensation.
Find out more about the causes of condensation, damp and mould and what you can do to help reduce it
Damp caused by condensation occurs in areas of the home which are coolest and have the least air movement around them (to keep them dry). This can include areas such as cupboard and wardrobes and on walls behind furniture. If they remain damp for some time, mould can grow.
What causes damp and mould?
Black mould spores are invisible to the human eye and are always present in the atmosphere, both inside and outside the home. They only become noticeable when they land on a surface where they can grow and multiply.
Mould and damp are usually caused by condensation, but not always. Other causes could be:
- A leaking water pipe, waste pipe, or overflow
- Rain getting in through your roof because a tile or slate is missing
- Blocked guttering
- Rain seeping in around window frames
- Rising damp caused by a defective or missing damp proof course
Rising damp can usually be identified by a ‘tide mark’ at the edge of the area of damp, often towards the bottom of the inside of an exterior wall. Leaks (or penetrating damp) cause patches of damp to form on wallpaper or plaster, but only in the area around the leak.
What to do if you have a problem with damp or mould
If you are experiencing a problem with too much condensation, damp or mould, we can help. One of our surveyors can visit you at home. They will investigate the cause of the damp and will give advice about dealing with it. They will also assess ways we may need to improve ventilation or heating and arrange for any necessary repairs, if there is a leak.
Contact us on 020 8534 5500 or email us at info@octavia.org.uk to report a damp or mould problem in your home.