The Health Risks of Damp and Mould in your Home – How to Prevent Damp

Damp isn’t something you want in your home. Not only can it lead to serious health risks but it also decreases the value of the property.

Despite this, it’s a problem that many homeowners face – according to figures published by Statista, more than 900,000 UK dwellings had damp problems in 2021.

In this article, we’ll answer many frequently asked questions about damp, including what causes damp, what the different types are, and how you can prevent it from building up in your home.

What are the risks of having damp in your home?

One of the major problems with damp is that it leads to mould. Damp and mouldy building can create serious respiratory problems, such as asthma and various respiratory infections. For vulnerable people, damp and mould can cause respiratory failure and even lead to death – like in the case of two-year old Awaab Ishak.

Additionally, the presence of damp or mould can seriously reduce the value of your property by making it less attractive to prospective buyers.

Damp and mould are more difficult to remove the longer they’re left to build up. This means that it’s in your best interests to remove damp as soon as you notice it, as well as take measures to prevent it from returning.

What causes damp?

Damp is caused by the presence of excess moisture in a space. Excess moisture can come from a variety of sources including condensation, leaking pipes, rain seeping through damaged roofs or window frames, or even damp rising through lower floors of a building.

There are several signs of damp that you should watch out for, including:

• Musty smells
• Wall marks
• Lifting or peeling wallpaper
• Cold walls
• Excessive condensation on windows

How can you prevent damp?

The key to preventing damp and mould from occurring in your home is to take steps to stop moisture from building up. There are a number of ways you can do this, including:

• Frequently opening windows to improve ventilation
• Installing extractor fans such as those from RS
• Regulate heating throughout each day
• Buy a dehumidifier
• Wipe down windows and sills every morning

What are the different types of damp?

There are a number of different types of damp that could be present in your property, including:

• Rising damp: This is more common on the ground floor of buildings and in older properties.

• Penetrating damp: This is usually caused by repair problems, such as leaks or cracked walls.

• Construction damp: This type of damp is caused by problems with a property’s design. 

• Condensation damp: Occurring anywhere from the top to the bottom of a wall, this type of damp is caused by condensation within the property.