Condensation, damp and mould advice

What condensation, damp and mould are

• Condensation is water that collects as droplets on cold surfaces when the air is moist. For example, on the inside of your windows in the morning. Small amounts aren’t normally a concern, however, if left, it can lead to mould.
•  Damp is the presence of excess moisture, water and condensation in a building. It can be caused by condensation, a leak or a problem with the structure of the building.

• Mould is a fungus that grows in damp places. Signs of mould at home include black, white or green patches on the walls, and a damp and musty smell.

Condensation and damp can be managed to stop mould appearing.

Managing condensation

Condensation is caused by everyday activities like showering and cooking. There are three key steps you can take to manage it, and help prevent damp and mould:

1. Minimise moisture. Use pan lids, extractor fans and wipe down windows. 
2. Air it out. Let fresh air in through windows, doors and vents.
3. Level the heat. As much as possible, heat your home to a steady temperature.

Minimise moisture

• Open a window or use an extractor fan when cooking, showering or taking a bath, and for about 20 minutes afterwards. Keep the door of the room closed to stop moisture spreading.
• Put lids on pots and pans when cooking. Turn down the heat once the water has boiled, to keep steam to a minimum and save on your energy bills.
• If you need to dry clothes indoors, use a clothes rack and place it in a well-ventilated room. Close the door of the room the clothes are in and open a window, so the moisture goes outside rather than into your home. Try to avoid trying clothes on the radiator as this increases the amount of moisture produced.
• When you spot condensation, wipe it away with a cloth and wring the cloth out down the sink.

Air it out

• When you spot condensation, wipe it away with a cloth and wring the cloth out down the sink.
• Try to open your windows for at least 10 minutes every day. If possible, it’s good to open them first thing in the morning, especially in your bedroom. This is because we breathe out a lot of moisture overnight while we sleep.
• If your windows have trickle vents (small plastic vents at the top of the frame), leave these open all the time. They let a small amount of air in without making your home much colder. 
• Use extractor fans and cooker hoods so moisture goes outside. If your extractor fan is broken, let us know.
• Leave space between furniture and the wall. Try to avoid putting big pieces of furniture against colder external walls. This will help air circulate and stop mould growing. 

Level the heat

• As much as possible, keep your home at a steady temperature as this helps stop condensation forming. Having your heating on for longer at a lower level can also be more cost effective than turning your heating on and off

• We understand that the cost of heating your home may be a worry. For advice on how to keep your bills down and information on the support available, visit our cost of living webpages. Our SHINE service also gives free energy advice.

• For most people, between 18 and 21°C is just right for living spaces, while bedrooms can be a little cooler. For your health and to help stop damp and mould, try not to let the temperature fall below 14°C. Find out how to set your central heating temperature and timer.

• If you can, set your radiator valves to ‘1’ in unused rooms. This will mean they give a bit of heat when your heating is on, while keeping bills down

• Check your radiators are working properly. The top part of the radiator should be the same temperature as the bottom when the heating is on. If it’s cold, it means the water isn’t circulating properly and your radiator needs to be “bled”. Find out how to bleed a radiator.

• Open your curtains in the daytime to let the sun in and heat your home naturally, and close them at night to keep the heat in. Ideally, curtains should stop below the edge of the windowsill and above radiators.

• Get more tips on how to heat your home while keeping costs down on our energy advice pages.

Managing damp 

There are other factors which can cause damp, as well as condensation. These are:

• Plumbing faults – when there’s a leaky pipe inside the building, usually in a kitchen or bathroom.
• Penetrating damp – when water gets into a building from outside, like a faulty roof.
• Rising damp – when moisture is absorbed from the ground into the wall, up to the height of about one metre. 

The council is responsible for fixing these issues in the homes it manages. In privately rented homes, your landlord is responsible.

Treating damp and mould

If you notice damp and mould in your home, it’s very important to treat it early. 

If you are worried about damp and mould or notice a leak in a council home, please contact us as soon as possible on 020 7527 5400 or email repairs@islington.gov.uk.  

If you have small amounts of mould in your home – for example, on your windowsills or around the seals of your bath or shower – it is also possible to treat yourself:

• To kill and remove mould, wipe down affected walls and window frames with a fungicidal wash. This is available from supermarkets and DIY stores. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Don’t use water-based products like bleach or washing up liquid. They don’t kill the mould and can make things worse by adding more moisture to the area.
• After removing the mould, redecorate using fungicidal paint. This helps prevent mould reoccurring.
• Wash mildewed clothes and shampoo carpets. Throw away any cloths you have used to clean the mould.
• Try to avoid disturbing mould by brushing or vacuum cleaning as it can release spores into the air.

If the problem doesn’t get better after you've tried these steps, please let us know as soon as possible. We will investigate and carry out any work needed.