Damp and Mould in London: 4 Tips to Protect Your Home

Frequent rainfall and high humidity are two major contributors to damp problems, and London suffers from both of them. If you live in the city, it’s crucial to take some precautionary measures. Damp issues can grow fast and pose serious risks to buildings and their occupants. Read on to discover the four simple, effective things independent damp surveyors wish you were doing.

1. Open Your Windows Regularly

Condensation is a leading cause of damp. Yes, the same stuff that steams up your mirrors after a hot shower can actually cause real problems in your home. That’s because when you shower, cook, or dry clothes indoors, lots of moisture is released into the air. Without an extractor fan or good airflow to carry it outside, this moisture will be deposited on your walls and roof, where it enables mould to grow.
Opening your windows regularly lets cool fresh air in and flushes humid air out. Even opening them for just a few minutes several times a day can help.

2. Control Indoor Humidity

Another easy but effective way to put a lid on condensation problems is to, well, put a lid things. Covering pans while cooking stops so much moisture being released into the air. Drying clothes indoors should also be avoided for the same reason, if possible.

If your indoor humidity exceeds 60%, you should consider buying a dehumidifier. This is a slightly pricier solution, but still less than a damp survey in London will cost if you let things get out of control.

3. Keep Your Gutters Clear

Many an independent damp survey in London concludes with a diagnosis of penetrating damp. Unlike condensation, where the moisture originates inside, penetrating damp occurs when water enters from outside, through the walls or roof. This water often comes from overflowing gutters.

Instead of carrying the water away and depositing it a safe distance from the house, blocked gutters cause it to spill down the walls. It then seeps into cracks and holes, causing damp issues on the inside. Keeping your gutters free from leaves and other debris is an easy way to prevent this.

4. Regularly Inspect Your Home to Catch Problems Early

You don’t need to be an independent damp surveyor in London to recognise the early signs of damp in your home. Musty smells, mould, bubbling or peeling walls, and discoloured patches are all telltale signs that anyone can spot. Yet people often miss them because they don’t set aside time to look for them.

These signs don’t always spring up in obvious places. They could appear behind a wardrobe, in a dark corner, or in a disused room. Set aside some time every few months for a thorough check. The earlier you spot a problem, the cheaper and easier it is to deal with.

Conclusion

If you’ve taken all of these steps but still find signs of damp in your home, an independent damp survey will help you find the cause and fix it. To speak to a damp surveyor today, call London Damp Specialists on 020 7523 5882.