The most prevalent causes of moist walls in your bedroom are condensation and deep damp. If there is minimal saturation on the wall surfaces but there is black mould, you most likely have a condensation issue. However, if there are damp patches, you may be experiencing from penetrating damp.
Sleeping in a damp room can significantly impact respiratory health. The excessive moisture creates an ideal breeding ground for mould and mildew, which release airborne spores.
Regularly wipe clean surfaces which are prone to condensation. Move furniture away from the walls so there is a gap to allow air flow. Increase ventilation by opening windows wide on opposite sides of your home for 15 minutes every morning to allow moisture laden air to be taken away.
Rising damp is less likely to occur on or around your windows as damp will only rise to approximately 1 metre above the ground. While damp cannot be reduced by opening windows, it can help to reduce the humidity levels in your property to make sure that condensation is not a common occurrence.
While a dehumidifier cannot directly address the underlying cause of rising damp, it can help reduce the moisture levels in the air and prevent mould growth on affected surfaces.
Easy ways to ventilate and reduce damp
Open doors and windows for 10-15 minutes each morning, or use a ventilation system. Airing out a room when you turn off the heater also helps to avoid condensation. Use energy efficient, low emissions heaters.
Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin. Some people, such as those with allergies to molds or with asthma, may have more intense reactions.
The World Health Organisation guidelines suggest 21 degrees in a living room and 18 degrees in the bedrooms, falling lower at night and when you are out. You don't need to keep your home at these temperatures all the time, but you should aim to bring it up to these temperatures at least some of the day.
Use a room fan
Place one or more fans in front of the damp spot and turn them to their highest setting. This helps dry the wall and also gets moisture out of the air. If the fan has an oscillation feature, you can use this to clear more than one damp spot that is within its reach.
Using your heating to keep a property warm is essential and can help to slow down the spread of damp. Condensation dampness is caused by water from the air soaking into cold walls, so maintaining heat in the property will reduce the amount of condensation that will form.
While damp problems tend to be more common in winter, this does not mean they can't occur in summer as well. Problems such as mould, damp patches, leaks and rot can all occur all year round. They just tend to be more common when the weather worsens.
Damp homes
It is not unusual for properties to show signs of damp, condensation and mould. This is made even worse as the weather gets colder. Condensation is a very common form of damp where moisture generated through everyday living condenses on cold surfaces.
Mold risk increases in cold apartment
This moisture, as well as moisture in the masonry, can promote mold growth. The mold problem is greater in the cold season than in spring or summer because cold air can physically absorb less moisture than warm air.
Do air purifiers help with mold? Air purifiers help capture mold spores from the air, preventing them from reproducing and spreading throughout your home. While air purifiers won't help treat active mold that's already present on surfaces, they are a great way to control the spread of airborne mold particles.
The experts all agreed that ventilation is the key to preventing mould from returning. Sarah said: “Mould is caused by a number of factors, but essentially, it's a mix of excessive moisture, cold temperatures and poor air circulation. So, rooms need to be heated and ventilated.
Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal can be taken as a supplement for mold cleansing. Most people don't think about mold living in their bodies, but it can. Activated charcoal is a potent natural treatment. It traps toxins in the body, allowing them to be flushed out so the body doesn't reabsorb them.
If your property is suffering from a damp problem, the use of a dehumidifier will only help to contain the problem as opposed to damp proofing your home - the more permanent solution. Sadly, there is no quick fix or instant, magic solution when it comes to damp.
"While DampRid is nowhere near as rapid or effective as a good dehumidifier, it almost works the same as a poor-performing dehumidifier," says Chris. We know you want the dry details, so you can read how DampRid fared in a mild 65% humidity test against all the currently available dehumidifiers in our review.
How long will it take to get the moisture under control? As long as the dehumidifier you choose is large enough for the area it is working in, and there are no specific damp problems, then a dehumidifier will normally reduce the humidity to the chosen level within a few days to a week.
Avoid putting it in the bathroom, too. 'We don't advise using a dehumidifier in the bathroom because it isn't IP rated,' says Meaco's Chris. 'But positioning a dehumidifier as close to the bathroom as possible with the door open still can help to reduce moisture quickly. '
The Signs of Condensation Damp
Excessive condensation is a sign that there is too much water vapour in the house and that the airflow is not sufficient to maintain a lower humidity. You may notice black mould in corners or behind furniture where the air flow is much lower.
By turning heating on and closing doors and windows, we reduce air circulation, causing moisture to become trapped indoors. Optimum indoor humidity levels are between 40-60 per cent. Any higher can be damaging to our homes and our health.