IT’S that time of the year again when it’s foggy, cold and everything starts to turn a little damp.
It’s a common issue in buildings, particularly in regions with high humidity or significant rainfall.
But it can be a nightmare to deal with, as it can cause mould on the walls, as well as health problems – so addressing the problem is crucial.
And one home who lives in a 1960s ex-council house has discovered a savvy trick on how to fix her damp riddled house.
She took to online forum Mumsnet to ask for advice, writing a lengthy post about her issues – to which many other users came rushing to the comments section with suggestions.
The mum wrote: “This is our fourth winter in our house and every year I struggle to get on top of the issue of condensation and dampness as the weather cools down.
“Our windows are often covered in condensation in the morning, despite leaving trickle vents open and closing curtains as it starts to get dark.
“I’ve even found a small patch of condensation on the ceiling of one of our bedrooms tonight.
“I clean the condensation from the windows at least once a day with a karcher window vac and wipe down any other condensation I can find.
“I try to open the windows upstairs for at least 20 minutes once everyone is out of the house for work/school.
“Downstairs I open the window when cooking etc.
“I’ve also gotten rid of damp/mould when I have found it with an anti mould spray then anti mould paint which often does the trick for a good while but then I find a new bit somewhere else and the cycle begins again.
“I know that a big problem is drying washing indoors but with energy bills I can’t afford to run the tumble dryer multiple times a week.
“As it is, staying on top of the washing is a big enough headache in winter.
“And we don’t want/need the heating on too much. We tend to have it on for a half hour in the morning and half hour in the evening for the kids’ bedtime routine.”
She then went on to ask Mumsnet users for advice.
We’ve got small children so the house would be very cold for them if we were to leave the windows open overnight
Mumsnet user
Many rushed to the comments section to share their advice.
One wrote: “Dehumidifiers are pretty much the only option.
“The bonus being they will also dry your washing quicker and cheaper than a tumbly.
“Our flat was like that but after running it on full for a while we dried the place out and then only needed to run it when drying washing.
“Along with opening windows when you can etc.”
Another added: “You do need heating and ventilation to get on top of mould and condensation.
“If you are drying clothes, I’d recommend a dehumidifier. I always use one in winter. I also use it in the morning as I get condensation on my bedroom window.”
Then responding to comments, the mum went on to explain in further detail about her house: “I be opening the windows for a considerable amount of time every day?
“I think our house is from the 1950s or 60s, ex-council.
“We’ve got small children so the house would be very cold for them if we were to leave the windows open overnight.
“To those who say use a dehumidifier, where do you place it to help the whole house or do I have to go room by room?
Condensation is water droplets that form on a window when moist air comes into contact with a cold surface.
Condensation occurs when:
Air cools
Warmer air can hold more moisture than cooler air. When moist air touches a cold surface, like a window, the water vapour in the air turns into liquid water droplets.
Windows are colder than walls
Windows are often colder than insulated walls, so condensation is more likely to occur on them.
Windows are poorly insulated
Poorly insulated windows can lead to condensation, especially if they are made of aluminium, which conducts heat quickly. If left untreated, it can lead to mould and other serious problems.
“Our issues are upstairs mostly in two of our three bedrooms but we dry our washing downstairs (there’s no where else for it!)”
But then someone else suggested a completely free hack: “We’ve put those little cheap ones on the windowsills upstairs and it’s reduced the condensation massively.
Also opening the windows every day for 15 minutes when it’s dry, and keeping the bathroom door closed.”
Mould is more likely to grow during the winter months.
Olivia Young, Product Development Scientist at Astonish revealed exactly why this is.
“Unfortunately, mould is a common problem many people face during winter. It thrives in conditions that are warm and damp, so your bathrooms are likely to be the most affected place.
“That said, during the colder months most rooms in your home could be vulnerable to mould growing.
“This occurs primarily from condensation that builds up on your windows when you’ve got your radiators on.
“If you think about it, when windows and doors are closed, there’s not much chance for the air to circulate and the moisture to make a swift exit.
“This build up is what can cause dreaded mould to make an appearance, especially in bathrooms, as it creates that warm and wet environment that is a breeding ground for mould.
“If left untreated, not only is it unsightly but it can also pose a serious risk to your health, so it’s really important you treat it.
“The key to tackle mould is to act fast.
“Try to come into as little contact with it as you can. So, grab your gloves, tie up your hair and get to work to remove any signs of mould as soon as you notice them.
“To keep mould at bay, there are some simple solutions you can introduce throughout home.
“The first is keep it ventilated. Yes, even in the cold winter months try to leave your bathroom window open for at least 10/15 minutes post shower or bath. This will get rid of any excess moisture quickly preventing mould gathering.
“If you’re having a repeat problem with mould in one particular area, it might be because the humidity levels are too high. You can get a dehumidifier that will help keep the levels low and reduce the risk of mould returning.
“The golden rule to remember when dealing with mould is the quicker you can treat it, the better. If you leave it, it will only get worse so never ignore it!
“To successfully get rid of mould every time, I recommend opting for the UK’s No 1 Mould & Mildew Remover, that effectively removes mould and mildew stains almost instantly, with no scrubbing necessary.”
