Year-Round Tips for Preventing Seasonal Damp in Your Home
As London looks forward to another soggy winter, did you know there are some things you can do all year-round to prevent the seasonal damp from taking over your home and turning it into a cold, wet cave? The winter months infamously make our homes damp because the warm indoor air condenses when it touches the cold walls and windows that have had their temperature brought down by the winter chill.
It doesn’t take long to notice that unpleasant mould smell in the house because the condensation’s resulting dampness provides the perfect conditions for harmful moulds and mildew to thrive in. These unsightly fungi are also dangerous, and can present a significant health risk to you and your family!
We don’t have to surrender to the winter damp’s cold, wet clutches; let’s consider some of the things we can do now to stave off its unhealthy effects!
Insulation – Warm surfaces don’t invite condensation the way cold ones do, so keeping your home well insulated will help maintain a higher temperature and reduce dampness. Insulation keeps the cold weather out and the warm air in during the winter months so your home can stay nice and dry. However, one must beware of poorly installed insulation that can actually trap moisture in, which can lead to dampness and the problems it invites like wet rot and mould that can seriously damage your home and health! Good insulation is one of the staunchest defences we have against the ravages of the seasonal damp.
Ventilation – One of the most efficient ways to prevent seasonal damp is to prepare for it by making sure your home is properly ventilated before the cold sets in. Most homes have some ventilation installed, like the exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms that work to decrease humidity while cooking or taking a hot shower. Simply by running your kitchen exhaust fan while the kettle’s on has been shown to improve humidity reduction by 50%! Adding and enhancing ventilation throughout your home is a great investment in keeping the seasonal damp at bay.
Windows – Still, stagnant air traps moisture, so when weather permits, be sure to open your windows to allow the fresh air to flow in while allowing the moist, humid air to escape. As it grows colder, the windows are one of the main places where condensation builds up, you can see tiny drops of moisture forming as the warm interior air hits the glass that faces the frigid outdoor air. You can prevent this by making it part of your daily routine to pick up a clean towel and use it to dry off your windows and window sills every morning. This easy chore will prevent the condensation from building up even more the following day so your home stays warm and dry all winter long.
If you would like to order a free damp survey of your property by one of our damp proofing specialists just give us a call on 0208 226 6330, or email us at [email protected], or submit our online form for general questions about our services. We are here to keep you safe and dry!