Damp & Mould – Preventative Strategies for London Homeowners

The UK has a damp climate and that means moisture is a very real threat to buildings, especially in and around London, where the ground is always wet because of a clay bed called the Thames Valley Basin. The wet climate enables damp to thrive and in this article, we take a look at some of the strategies London homeowners use to prevent all forms of damp.

• Early detection is the key – The best way to ensure that penetrating damp is not an issue in your home is to book an independent damp survey from London Damp Specialists. We offer a professional service for London homeowners and the client receives a detailed report in their inbox within 24 hours of survey completion. Damp causes mould and it isn’t always evident, which is why you should book a damp survey to be sure.
• Generate ventilation – Air movement is important with regard to damp and mould; still air is ideal for damp to take hold, so you should open windows on a regular basis, especially in the winter months, when condensation can form. You could install a few extractor fans around the house, which can be reversed and this can generate a positive airflow that prevents damp and mould from forming.
• Install double-glazed windows and doors – If your home has a constant condensation problem, the best way to eliminate that is to replace the windows with double-glazed aluminium framed units. This is a wise long-term investment, as it will boost the value of the property and it will also reduce your energy costs.
• Heat all rooms – Even the rooms that are not in use should be heated for a few hours every week, as this can prevent the onset of damp and mould. If you don’t have central heating, use a portable electric heater in rooms that are damp and this should dry the air out. The extra cost of heating the whole house is nothing compared to the cost of repairing damp damage.
• Removing condensation – Leave a dry cloth on every window sill and wipe up water droplets when they appear, as this can damage plaster and timber. If you suspect that your London home has damp issues, call us at London Damp Specialists on 020 7205 4886 and we will send one of our certified damp surveyors to carry out an accurate assessment. Penetrating damp can contribute to condensation forming on walls. Tell-tale signs include peeling wallpaper and bubbles in paint, which indicates damp penetrating from the external walls and the source needs to be pinpointed and fixed before you repair the damage. 

When damp enters your home, you will likely be unaware, at least for a while, then signs of damp will appear and that is the time to take action. 

Call London Damp Specialists for an independent damp inspection from a fully certified damp surveyor and take the first step to eradicating moisture from your home.