How to Prepare Your London Home for a Damp Winter

Unfortunately, damp is a huge problem in London and the South East of England, as the wet ground retains moisture and in this short article, we present a guide on how to best prepare your London home for a cold and damp winter.

Start with an independent damp survey

Damo isn’t always evident; it can be hiding in dark corners and the best way to be sure that your home really is damp-free is to book an independent damp survey from London Damp Specialists. Our survey is comprehensive and if damp, mould or timber rot are present, our surveyor will find it. If you get a green light, then you can prepare for the cold season, knowing that your home is dry and not under threat from rising damp.

Preventing condensation

The winter is the worst time for condensation, as indoor temperatures meet the freezing outdoors, which causes water droplets to form on hard surfaces. If you have single-pane windows with timber frames, condensation is likely to form on the inner glass surfaces and the wooden frames and there isn’t much you can do about that, except mopping up the water as it appears. Keep a dry cloth on every window sill and use it to absorb the moisture before it causes any damage. You could enlist the help of a condensation specialist to advise you on ways to reduce/prevent the onset of water vapour forming on interior surfaces.

Heating the entire house

Most people are reluctant to heat rooms that are not in use and when you consider the very high energy prices in the UK, it is no surprise. You should, however, heat the whole house for a few hours every week to dry out the atmosphere, which is one way of keeping moisture at bay. The extra cost of the heating will be much less than the damp repair charges you would pay if damp is allowed to thrive, so this is one thing you should do every few days.

Generate a positive airflow

Ventilation is an essential component of a damp-free home and if there is inadequate airflow, you can install a few extractor fans and generate artificial ventilation. Damp and mould cannot exist in a dry environment, it needs humidity to thrive; when we do an independent damp survey, we carry out a ventilation flow test to accurately measure airflow throughout the house.

Loft inspection

The loft contains a lot of timber, with joists and rafters that can be damaged by rainwater; it only takes one missing or broken roof tile to allow rainwater into the internal roof structure. Take a flashlight with you and inspect every area in the attic, looking out for signs of timber rot, woodworm and penetrating damp. 

If you are concerned about damp in your London home, contact London Damp Specialists on 020 7205 4886 or fill in the online survey booking form on this site.

We take great pride in offering a professional service for London homeowners and if damp is present in your home, we will find it.