Repairs to Council homes

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Dampness, mould and condensation

Dampness and mould in your home can, at the very least, be unsightly. It can also cause or aggravate chest related illness such as asthma. It also makes it harder to keep warm.

There are 3 main different types of dampness:

1. rising damp is caused by insufficient damp proofing of external walls
2. penetrating damp is caused by:
   • old brickwork which starts to absorb water
   • leaking roofs or gutters
   • rotting window or door wood
3. condensation is caused by warm air meeting cold walls without enough ventilation

There are 3 main ways to avoid or reduce condensation:

Produce less moisture

• cover steaming pots when cooking
• switch off kettles as soon as they boil
• avoid using portable gas heaters as they produce a lot of water vapour
• if you cannot dry clothes outside, dry in a room with an open window and close the door 
• make sure tumble dryer exhaust vapour is vented outside, not back indoors

Ventilate to expel excess moisture in the air

• use air extraction vents in bathrooms and kitchens to remove moist air and keep the doors closed when in use
• keep windows slightly open to aid air movement or,
• if you have double glazing you can open the 'trickle-vents'
• leave wardrobe and cupboard doors slightly open, or cut breather holes to help ventilation
• do not overstock shelves and place them against the warmer inside walls

Improve insulation and heating

• insulate your loft and loft hatch to reduce heat loss
• if your external walls are cavity walls, ensure they are insulated
• install double glazing if you do not already have it, or
• update your existing double glazing if it does not provide adequate insulation
• make sure that new double glazing has 'trickle-vents' to allow some ventilation

Avoid condensation

You can try to avoid condensation by not: 

• blocking permanent ventilators
• blocking chimneys, you could install a ventilation grille instead
• draught-proofing kitchens and bathrooms or rooms containing a gas heating appliance

Treating mould

You should wipe down affected walls or surfaces regularly with a household detergent. This should be one which is an anti-mildew spray. You should read the instructions carefully before using it. 

You can also:

• dry clean mildewed clothes and shampoo carpets
• re-decorate using a good quality fungicidal topcoat paint

Excess cold or heat

A cold house is uncomfortable and can contribute to bronchitis, pneumonia and hypothermia.

Excess cold

A house will have insufficient heating when:

• it has no fixed form of heating in the main habitable room
• no means of providing heating to any other habitable room such as electrical sockets
• heating appliances are are not working properly or are not capable of heating the room adequately

Excess cold can also be caused by inadequate thermal insulation.

To help you insulate your home, you could find out if you're eligible for an energy grant on GOV.UK

You can get help on keeping warm on our Energy Efficiency Advice pages.

Excess heat

This is usually caused by:

• solar heat gain
• inadequate ventilation, and
• lack of thermal efficiency