Welcome Dealing with Condensation & Damp

Condensation, Damp & Mould Causes and Prevention

Types of Damp Condensation Rising Penetrating Plumbing leaks

Condensation Around uPVC windows where condensation is highest, due to colder areas of the window & internal surrounding brick work.

Condensation In a bathroom/shower room, where extraction has failed, is insufficient, or is not being used properly.

Homes with modern uPVC doors and windows No (or inadequate/incorrectly used) ventilation & air circulation Lots of water vapour released by occupants Cold conditions (unused/ineffective heating) & solid walls Condensation (caused by)

Rising Damp

Penetrating Damp

Mould Tends to appear where condensation and dampness is an ongoing problem Once established becomes hard to treat Causes damage to home (can be expensive and time consuming) And health (causing respiratory conditions and depression)

This happens behind wardrobes and other furniture where air can’t freely circulate and where it is colder than other areas (typically corners).

Mould humidity cold No ventilation water No air movement Mould

Who is Responsible? Landlord and Tenants Landlord should provide a home with good insulation, ventilation and heating Occupants should use ventilation and heating correctly Occupants should moderate water vapour release.

Ideally, the Landlord should… Provide an extractor hood over kitchen hob that takes moisture and odour out of the kitchen and vents externally (not a recycler hood) Provide an automatic (quiet) extractor fan in the bathroom, correctly wired to the light switch Make sure airbricks are not blocked

Ideally, the Landlord should… Provide affordable, fully controllable heating Provide well insulated home Modern double glazed windows (trickle vents do little!) Bathroom and kitchen doors form a good seal against frame when shut

Ideally, the Tenants should… Use the heating correctly! Maintain a background warmth in the home when unoccupied Boost the heating when occupied Use ventilation correctly Dry clothing in a dryer, or air in a closed bathroom with extractor vent on.

Good practice to have (in order of effectiveness)… Properly wired in effective bathroom extractor that’s not too noisy and has a timer and/or moisture sensor A good hob extraction hood Tumble dryer or Washer/dryer Heat recovery ventilation

Enforcement action (under HHSRS & Housing Act 2004) More common for cold homes Councils take action under Housing Health and Safety Rating System (Housing Act 2004, Section 9) Home should be maintainable at 21° C when outside temperature is -1° C

Help with advice on, and costs of, ensuring a well heated home (see handout): Affordable Warmth Helpline Energy Savings Trust Green Deal

End Questions?