Housing standards

Damp and mould primarily affect the airways and lungs, but they can also affect the eyes and skin. The respiratory effects of damp and mould can cause serious illness.

The presence of damp and mould can also affect mental health. This could be due to worries about the health impacts of damp and mould, unpleasant living conditions, and destruction of property and belongings, among other concerns. 

Certain individuals may be at increased risk of the health impacts of damp and mould exposure. This could be due to health-related or age-related vulnerabilities, or because they are less able to report and act on guidance related to damp and mould, or simply because they are more likely to live in a home with damp and mould.

People most at risk of health issues from damp and mould

While damp and mould pose a risk to anyone’s health and should always be acted on quickly, some people may be more vulnerable including:

• people with a pre-existing health condition
• people of all ages who have a weakened immune system 
• people living with a mental health condition 
• pregnant women
• children and young people whose organs are still developing
• older people
• people who are bedbound, housebound or have mobility problems making it more difficult for them to get out of a home

If you experience damp and mould in your home, it's important that you deal with it as soon as possible

Types of dampness

There are three main types of dampness:

• Penetrating damp
• Rising damp
• Condensation damp

Penetrating damp

Penetrating damp is caused by water or moisture finding its way into your home when it shouldn't. For example:

• Through a leaking roof 
• Through leaking pipework or damaged plumbing
• Through damaged or old brickwork absorbing water.
• The roof or rendering is damaged
• The gutters are blocked
• Areas around sinks, showers or baths are damaged, such as cracked grouting or worn out sealant

Rising damp 

Rising damp happens when water rises from the ground through the floor and into the walls of the building. You can often see rising damp because it leaves a tide mark low down on affected walls.  You will only find rising damp on ground floor walls up to a height of around one metre.

Rising damp damages plaster, wallpaper, paint and skirting boards. It's caused by insufficient damp proofing of external walls or floors and internally rising water saturating walls. 

You must treat the source of the rising damp before repairing the internal walls. There are a number of possible solutions including a Damp Proof Course (DPC), however a professional survey will be required to determine the best solution.

Condensation and mould

Condensation happens when warm humid air hits a cold surface, such as windows and external walls. Warm humid air is made by activities such as showering or cooking. 

Condensation is common in areas where there is little air movement, such as:

• behind furniture
• in cupboards
• under work surfaces
• on cold walls or ceilings
• in the corner of rooms

In England, housing stock varies significantly in age, design and building materials, each with different challenges in relation to damp and mould. There are a variety of housing conditions that put people at increased risk of exposure to damp and mould.

They include:

• homes where residents feel unable to open windows due to concerns about security, noise, or air pollution
• homes that are poorly or inadequately insulated
• homes with inefficient or ineffective and expensive to run heating systems
• homes that are poorly ventilated
• homes without adequate damp proof courses
• homes that are poorly maintained
• homes that are overcrowded

If a property doesn't have good ventilation and heating, condensation can cause mould. Mould is a type of fungus which grows in damp conditions. 

How to spot condensation

There are a number of ways you can spot condensation in your home:

• Streaming condensation starting to appear on windows and walls
• Damp areas starting to appear on walls, especially in corners and behind furniture.
• The wallpaper starting to peel off the wall.
• Black mould starting to appear around window frames, doors, walls and ceilings.
• Soft furnishings and fabrics become prone to mould and mildew. This may be green or white in colour.
• Constant musty smell in your home.

How to prevent damp and mould caused by condensation

There are some simple steps you can take to prevent damp and mould in your home, which include ventilating and heating your home properly so moisture doesn't build up.

You can also help prevent condensation if you:

• Cover pots and pans when cooking and turn the heat down once the water has boiled. Using lids can also save on gas and electricity bills
• Use extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms
• Close internal doors when you cook or shower
• Run cold water first and then add hot water when filling a bath. This can reduce steam by up to 90%.
• Leave a gap between furniture and external walls
• Dry clothes outdoors, if possible, or use a condenser tumble dryer or a dryer which is vented to the outside. Don't be tempted to put wet clothes on radiators or in front of a radiant heater
• Open bedroom windows for five to ten minutes when you get up and ensure any fitted vents are left open
• Dry your windows and windowsills every morning, as well as surfaces in the kitchen or bathroom which have become wet. Wring out the cloth instead of drying it on a radiator
• Keep the temperature inside your home reasonably constant for as much time as possible. A healthy indoor temperature for a living room is 21 degrees Celsius (69.8° Fahrenheit). A healthy indoor temperature for a bedroom is 18 degrees Celsius (64.4° Fahrenheit).

How to remove damp and mould, and reduce the levels of condensation

You can remove mould, and reduce the levels of condensation in your home by:

• Wiping down walls and window frames with a ready-made mould removing solution or fungicidal wash.  Remove any mould as soon as you see it.
• Don't brush or vacuum the mould because it can disturb mould spores.
• Using a dehumidifier to control airborne moisture and help reduce the mould problem. However, dehumidifiers will not solve the cause of the condensation problem.

If you still have damp or mould in your home

If you're heating and ventilating your home properly and still dealing with ongoing damp or mould issues, you should take action to protect your health and the health of anyone you live with.

If you're a private or social housing tenant, you should report issues with damp and mould to your landlord or housing association as soon as possible. Make sure you tell them about:

•  Any repairs needed to your home
• The Impact of damp and mould on your health
• Any damage to furniture and belongings

Landlords have a duty to carry out any required repairs within a reasonable time.  

If your landlord is a Housing Association you can also use their formal complaints process if they do not investigate the concerns and carry out any work that is needed.  You will need to follow and exhaust this process before we can intervene.

If you have reported the problems and your landlord does not deal with your complaint, you can report the issue to our Housing Standards Team using the details below.  We will then make contact with you and your landlord and carry out an inspection of your home.

Telephone: 01204 336500
Email: housingstandards@bolton.gov.uk