Damp, Mould and Condensation

If you think you have any mould in your home please fill out the form below and make sure to include photos of the area or areas that are affected

WHAT IS MOULD?

Houses are becoming more airtight as we try to make our homes more energy efficient. without a regular change of the air within your home, condensation and mould problems start to arise which can cause problems to your health and home.

Mould and damp are caused by excess moisture. This moisture can be caused by leaking pipes, rising damp or rain seeping in because of damage to the roof or around window frames. Often drying laundry on a clothes horse can produce excess moisture.
If you have mould or damp it’s important to find out why you have excess moisture in your home, it is important to manage the moisture produced by everyday living, there may also be maintenance needed which could be a factor. LRHA can help to identify these causes and agree an action plan to resolve the problems.

WHAT IS CONDENSATION?

There is always some moisture in the air, even if you cannot see it. If air gets cold, it cannot hold all the moisture produced by everyday activities and some of this moisture appears as tiny droplets of water, most noticeable on windows on a cold morning. This is condensation. It can also be seen on mirrors when you have a bath or shower, and on cold surfaces such as tiles or cold walls. Look for condensation in your home. It can appear on or near windows, in corners and, in or behind wardrobes and cupboards. Condensation forms on cold surfaces and places where there is little movement of air.

FIRST STEPS AGAINST MOULD GROWTH

First treat the mould already in your home, then deal with the basic problem of condensation to stop mould reappearing. To kill and remove mould, wipe down or spray walls and window frames with a fungicidal wash that carries a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) ‘approval number’, and ensure that you follow the instructions for its safe use. Make sure that the washes and sprays carry the HSE approved number as some contain bleach that can feed the mould further. These fungicidal washes are often available at local supermarkets. Dryclean mildewed clothes, and shampoo carpets. Do not try to remove mould by using a brush or vacuum cleaner. After treatment, redecorate using good-quality fungicidal paint and fungicidal resistant wall paper paste to help prevent mould recurring. The effect of fungicidal or anti-condensation paint is destroyed if covered with ordinary paint or wallpaper.

LRHA ACTION PLAN

We have devised a colour coded system for the severity of mould cases ranging from red to green.
Red being the most severe case of mould which may be harmful to infants, people with medical conditions and older people. Please take a look at the chart and images and if you feel your home contains any of these please contact our repairs department. Once assessed we will set up a tailored action plan for your property to get the mould treated accordingly.

Take a look at these guides we have put together