A guide to keeping your home free frommould and condensation It is unlikely that any home can be completely condensation free. However, this guide provides you with some useful tips to help you avoid mould and condensation in your home. These are also things that Stockport Homes’ Technical Surveyors look out for when carrying out inspections.

Tip 1: Reduce the moisture• keep saucepan lids on when cooking;• ensure tumble dryers are vented to the outside through a drying kit;• avoid drying clothes inside the house on radiators and maidens;• shut the bathroom door when showering and the kitchen door when cooking for at least half an hour after use;• operate the Envirovent or similar ventilation system if installed to the manufacturers instructions;• wipe down any glazing and bathroom utilities (ceramic fittings) where cold water stored and any pipework; and• open windows and vents.

Tip 2: Raise the temperatureWarm air holds more moisture than cooler air which is more likely to deposit droplets of condensation round your home. Air is like a sponge, the warmer it is, the more moisture it will hold. Heating one room to a high level and leaving other rooms cold, makes condensation worse in the unheated rooms. That means that it is better to have a medium to low level of heat throughout the house.

Tip 3: Increase ventilation• use extractor fans when showering / bathing or cooking (where provided);• open windows (where extractor fans are not provided);• move items of furniture slightly away from external walls to allow air to circulate. If possible relocate the furniture to internal walls; and• do not block up permanent ventilators such as air bricks.

More useful tips• treat and remove the mould – there are various products on the market that will help such as fungicidal products available in DIY stores. Please do not leave it to escalate and reach a stage of a deep black colour as you will find it harder to clean off;• permanently leave open vents on windows when present in the property;• if your property has a ventilation unit installed, please leave it on to serve its purpose;• after showering or bathing, wipe down the bath and shower area with a cloth. Try not to leave standing water;• ventilate cupboards and wardrobes – do not overfill wardrobes – let the air circulate freely inside. For the same reason, cut holes in the back panel of the wardrobe and move it 50mm away from the surrounding wall. If possible, locate wardrobes against internal partition walls;• wipe down windows, frames and other affected areas with a fungicidal (mould killing wash) that carry a Health and Safety Executive ‘approval number’. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions precisely. Dry-clean mildewed clothes and shampoo mouldy carpets;• after treating mould-affected areas, redecorate using a good quality fungicidal paint. Where possible remove lining paper and wallpaper, treat the plaster and then paint or paper the area again;• where pets are present in the property, ventilate the rooms they occupy;• report any running overflows to toilets or leaks that are severely making external walls damp;• report any leaking gutters; and• report any leaks from the sink and bath wastes affecting the inside of units.

Reporting mould, dampand condensation The chart below helps you determine if your mould and condensation can be cured following the tips overleaf or if you need a Technical Surveyor to attend.

Have you ever reported mould, damp and condensation problems in the past?

Yes No

Has a specialist contractor attended to assessthe need for a ventilation unit or is there asystem already installed?

Please call the Contact Centre on 0161 217 6016 to arrange for a specialist contractor to attend and carry out a survey.

The survey is passed to Technical Services who will assess further and arrange inspection to discuss the need for a ventilation unit to be installed (if required) or whether other steps can be taken to help.

Note: If proven that information is not complied with, it may result in a re-charge.

Please follow the tips overleaf to help reduce mould and condensation issues.

“Simple improved living habits can improve issues and mould and condensation.”“Mould and condensation does not cure overnight and requires attention. It takes time and the right balance of adequate heating and ventilation.”

Please choose one of the following options:

Repeat inspections regarding mould and condensation can have implications, if it is found that tips, advice and literature have not been adhered to.

Request a Technical Surveyor. Please call the Contact Centre to arrange an appointment on 0161 217 6016.

Carry on following the recommendations, tips and advice overleaf with a view they will help cure the problem, monitor and report back if problems persist.

If you have a ventilation unit are you following the manufacturer’s instructions? If not, please do so, or problems will persist. If a Technical Surveyor attends your property and proves the ventilation system is not in use (switched off) then further action may follow.

Yes No