Damp in a home: finding the cause and responding well

Dark patches in corners, misted windows, a musty smell: damp always has a cause, and the right response depends on it.

Condensation, the most common

It appears when indoor air, loaded with water vapour, meets a cold surface: windows, outside walls, room corners. You recognise it by misted windows in the morning and small black spots in the corners. It is mainly tackled with good habits:

• air the home every day, ten minutes with windows wide open, even in winter;
• keep ventilation grilles open and unobstructed;
• use the cooker hood when cooking and ventilate the bathroom after showering;
• avoid drying laundry indoors without ventilation;
• heat all rooms regularly, without letting them cool down completely.

When it is not condensation

A patch that grows after rain, a ring on the ceiling or a wall damp at the bottom without misted windows may indicate a leak, a water ingress or rising damp. These causes are not solved by airing.

Tell your manager

Report without delay any patch that spreads, any mould that returns despite airing, or any trace of water. Attach a photo and the date it appeared. The sooner the cause is found, the simpler the repair.

Renting a property managed by BDW Invest? Report the problem via the tenant portal.