Managing moisture in your home
A build-up of moisture in your home can lead to a variety of problems, and we always want to tackle the cause as early as possible.
It’s important to understand the type of moisture affecting your home, so we can treat it most effectively.
On this page you can find information about possible causes of moisture and what you can do about them.
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Types of moisture in your home
Moisture can get into your home in a number of ways:
- Rain can get in through leaking roofs, blocked or damaged guttering, walls, doors and windows.
- Leaks from plumbing faults, failed appliances and poorly sealed baths and showers can quickly build up, often where you can’t see them.
- Ground water can rise up through the walls and floor if the damp proof course isn’t working properly.
- We can also add moisture to the air just by breathing, as well as from cooking, drying clothes, and from our pets and house plants.
If you can see signs of rain water getting into your home, of internal leaks, rising damp or if you have any other concerns, please report this to us as soon as possible and we will come and fix it.
Reporting a repair is easy
- Use the My Account portal. It’s quick and easy to use, and you can use it 24/7, 365 days a year. Login at myaccount.fcho.co.uk.
- Call our Contact Centre on 0161 393 7117.
Moisture in the air
If you don’t have any leaks or rising damp, moisture in your home will most likely be caused by condensation.
This forms when moisture in the air settles as water droplets on a colder surface like a window or wall, or in parts of the home with little space for air to circulate, for example behind furniture.
Condensation in your home may be caused by:
- High amounts of moisture often from everyday activities such as showering, cooking and drying clothes indoors.
- Not enough ventilation, to help air circulate.
- Cool temperatures (below 18°C).
We all get condensation in places like our windows sometimes and this isn’t a problem if it clears up quickly. It can be wiped away with a towel and opening a window in the room for around 15 minutes afterwards is helpful for ventilation.
Problems begin when water is left on a surface for long enough to start causing damage or mould to grow.
This video has practical advice on reducing everyday condensation in your home.
Dealing with condensation and black mould
If you are experiencing condensation or mould, please contact us in the first instance so we can check if there are any problems with your home that we can help with.
There may also be some simple measures that you can take. Mould caused by condensation can be removed by wiping down the affected area with good quality mould remover and following manufacturers' guidelines. The remover is available in most DIY shops. Once the area has been treated for mould you can then paint over it with a good anti-fungus paint.
However the cause of the condensation needs to be fixed to stop the mould from coming back.
Tips to reduce condensation in your home
The best way to prevent condensation is to reduce the amount of moisture produced in your home and keep it a consistent temperature of 18-21°C and as ventilated as possible. Here are some tips to help you do this.
- Opening windows when cooking, showering, bathing and drying clothes, and leaving trickle vents on windows open helps moist air escape.
- Turning your extractor fan on when cooking, showering and bathing removes excess moisture from the air.
- Putting lids on pans when cooking prevents excess moisture in the air (and helps save on your energy bill!).
- Keeping your home a consistent temperature of 18-21°C helps to prevent condensation from forming on surfaces. We understand that with the rise in energy prices, keeping your home heated may be more difficult. Help with your energy bills is below.
- If you can, setting your thermostat to a consistent temperature of 18-21°C will help to keep you and your home healthy while keeping your energy bills down. Help with your energy bills is below.
- Drying clothes releases moisture, so if you have access to outside space, drying clothes outdoors helps to prevent excess moisture in your home. If using a drying rack indoors, choosing a room with an extractor fan fitted like your bathroom or kitchen where possible and practical, plus closing the door, opening a window or turning on your extractor fan helps to remove excess moisture.
- Moving sofas and other furniture away from walls, radiators or heaters helps the heat to travel more effectively around the rooms in your home.
- Curtains and rugs help to keep your home warm. Ideally, curtains should stop between the edge of the windowsill and above radiators. Opening them in the morning and closing them at dusk helps to let warmth in and keep the cold out.
- Radiator valves allow you to control the temperature in each room. You can twist these to a higher setting in rooms you want to be warmer and lower in rooms you don’t use as often, helping you to use your energy more efficiently and cost-effectively. Typical settings are 4-5 in living areas and 2-3 in bedrooms.
- Closing internal doors and using draught excluders reduces the amount of heat moving into colder areas of your home. This helps keep the heat in the rooms you use most often, making them feel more comfortable.
Heating your home is important to reduce condensation in your home. We’re here for you if you need a hand managing energy costs.
In the colder months, especially when energy prices are high, it may not always be easy to open your windows and let out valuable heat from your home.
We also understand that you may not be able to use your heating for as long or a frequently as you would like.
We’re here to support you and give advice if you are finding it hard to manage energy costs or facing other financial worries.
Get in touch and see how we can help you.
0161 393 7117
Helping you manage condensation in your home
If you follow the above advice and are still concerned about signs of condensation and mould in your home, please get in touch with us and we can work out the best way to deal with it. Call 0161 393 7117 or email websiteenquiries@fcho.co.uk.
Our team can look at a range of solutions, including how you can monitor moisture and temperature levels in your home and from there we can make a plan about how to tackle the issue.
Visit our Using your hygrometer to help manage condensation webpage for more information.
Helping you manage condensation in your home
If you are concerned about signs of condensation and mould in your home, please get in touch with us and we can work out the best way to deal with it. Call 0161 393 7117 or email websiteenquiries@fcho.co.uk.