Cold Weather: How to protect your home from the cold this winter

Damp is very common in cold weather, creating excess moisture; a perfect place for mould and mildew to grow.

The government found that homes that were lower in energy efficiency, are more likely to have damp. Furthermore, “96% of homes with an energy efficiency rating (EER) of band F or G failed the Decent Homes Standard”. 3.5 million of those occupied homes that failed the Decent homes Standard, 414,000 of those had some form of damp issue.

Three common types of damp are rising damp, penetrating damp and condensation.

The most common form of damp is condensation, especially in cold weather. Condensation occurs when the air’s warm moisture comes into contact with cold surfaces, such as windows or walls.

Therefore, to tackle this issue it’s best to increase ventilation, reduce moisture and to heat and insulate.

To increase ventilation:

1. Open windows regularly
2. Turn on extractor fans
3. Trickle vents in order to encourage airflow
4. Leave gaps between furniture and surfaces
5. Ventilate cupboards and wardrobes by opening and not overcrowding them
6. Vent tumble dryers outside

To reduce moisture and damp:

1. Close doors of rooms that produce moisture when in use, e.g. kitchen or bathroom to stop it from spreading
2. Put lids on cooking pans
3. Drying any condensation as soon as possible
4. Purchasing dehumidifiers to place around the property
5. Dry clothes outside or in a ventilated rooms such as the bathroom and not on radiators
6. Avoiding gas or paraffin heaters
7. Don’t leave kettles boiling more than needed

To heat and insulate:

1. Double glaze windows
2. Don’t cover or block radiators, this will block the heat
3. Heat up your home using heaters and radiators regularly
4. Set low radiator temperatures for longer periods of time
5. Let natural light enter

Mould & Mildew

Homes and properties are a perfect place for mould and mildew to grow and feed because of the darkness and moisture inside, as well as both cold and warm indoor temperatures.

Signs of mould and mildew can be visible on walls, window sills and ceilings. These aren’t always obvious and visible and could be hidden in corners, behind furniture, beneath floorboards and through musty odours.

The main causes of mould and mildew growth is:

• Poor ventilation and humidity in your property
• Bad weather and the location of your property, (e.g. by the sea) can increase the humidity of your property, therefore, creating damp
• Leaked pipes or gaps in your property
• Condensation, which can primarily be found on windows, windowsills and bathrooms

In order to reduce mould and mildew it can be fixed by the same practices to reduce damp as stated above. If you live in a rented property, find out here if it is your actions or the landlords that are responsible for damp and mould.

Tackling mould, damp and frozen pipes in cold weather at the earliest stage possible is in the best interests of everyone concerned. As soon as mould or damp has been identified, it’s crucial the correct diagnosis is obtained from a mould and damp specialist and whoever is responsible should carry out the appropriate treatment. At CPL t/a Rainbow International we are experts in dealing with all kinds of mould, damp and leaks. To find out how we can help you, give us a call freephone on 0800 030 4360.