Considering the amount of downpour that the UK witnesses, it’s no surprises that many homeowners may notice common causes of mould and damp appearing in parts of their house, especially as we get closer to the Winter season. If large areas of damp are appearing in your house, regular exposure to it can be detrimental to your health, so it’s important to know what they are to help tackle the issue and prevent it.
What are the signs of damp?
It’s likely to see the signs of damp during the Winter periods, especially when the cold weather kicks in. Your walls can appear slightly discoloured, your walls feel cold and there are speckled black marks that are visible on your wall. These are regularly found in corners where skirting board is chipped and wallpaper begins to curl in the corners. Other signs include a large amount of condensation build up on your windows and black marks appearing around your window frames and bathtub where sealant may have been used. Damp and mould can also give off a musty smell, commonly found in cupboards and basements where it has occurred.
Common Causes Of Damp and Mould
Penetrating Damp:
You can tell if you have penetrating damp from brown marks that appear on the walls and ceilings. This can be caused by tiles that are loose or broken and gutters that leak often. It can also be common to appear around chimney breasts that have been damaged over time.
Leaking Pipes:
A build-up of moisture is one of the common causes of damp and mould and leaking pipes can be a big contributor to it. If you have plumbing that’s leaking, you’ll be able to identify it through by a large damp patch either on the ceiling or around your basin, sink, bath or radiator. It can be easy to miss a slow leak appearing from a pipe around your radiator or sink, eventually leading to a spongy floor.
Condensation Build Up:
Condensation occurs when warm moisture in the air touches a cold surface, creating a reaction that causes wet windows. The excessive moisture on window panes and external walls means a build-up of damp and mould occurs over time. This can be noticeable through the condensation you see on windows but also wallpaper that’s beginning to peel off the walls.
Humidity:
There are several causes for high humidity developing in your house. This can include doing everyday activities such as drying clothes indoors, cooking, showering and washing up. Without the correct ventilation, humidity can easily build up to increase the chances of damp. If humidity is over 60%, this can normally be the reason for damp being caused.
It’s important that these common causes of damp and mould are controlled to prevent the chances of damp occurring. It’ll help to maintain the design of your property and improve general health whilst the property’s being occupied.