All homes have an element of moisture in the air that occurs naturally. Many of us will unfortunately experience damp in our homes at some point and whilst there are three main types of damp, there can be numerous causes. However, there are also many ways in which we can control the conditions that lead to damp.

In this guide, we look at what causes damp in houses and how to reduce or get rid of it altogether.

Condensation is the most common cause of damp in many houses particularly in bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens. It occurs when warm moist air comes into contact with cold surfaces causing water to be deposited on the surface.

Excess moisture

Moisture gets into the air in our homes through everyday activities like cooking, washing, showering and drying clothes. Through these activities alone, one person can contribute four pints of water to their home’s environment in just one day. With double glazing and insulation, it becomes extremely hard for this moist air to exit your home.

Poorly heated homes

Warm air can hold a greater amount of moisture than cooler air. This means that the temperature of the air in your home and of the impermeable surfaces has an impact on the amounts of condensation you may experience. Homes that are under-heated can increase condensation. Also, dramatic increases or decreases in temperature can also increase condensation. It is therefore important to consistently heat your home, increasing the average temperature of surfaces. However, we also recognise that this is on the increase due to the current cost-of-living crisis*.

Poor ventilation

A home suffering with poor ventilation is prone to condensation and mould growth. Adequate air flow allows warm, moisture-laden air to escape from the home. However, if the home is lacking in ventilation, this warm air will deposit moisture on the coldest surface available – this is commonly windows or outside walls.

This can be a relatively common situation in certain conditions, and can be attributed to a series of factors and situations that include, but not limited to:

• Building defects – rising damp
• Building structure damage – penetrating damp e.g. broken or blocked guttering, leaking pipework
• Poor ventilation – leading to condensation and mould
• Condensation – e.g. showers, poorly vented tumble dryers, cooking and boiling
• Heating and Insulation – e.g. poorly heated or loss of heat through poor insulation

There are many ways to create good habits to save energy in your home. Please follow the link below to our page with help and advice on the current crisis. However, it should always be remembered that a poorly heated home can lead to further problems with damp.

Other useful links

Other than speaking to your housing officer or scheme coordinator, please contact our dedicated Customer Service Centre who will be able to help look at or help you report any issues you may be experiencing in respect of damp or mould.