Why is my house damp?

November 19, 2018

A damp house isn’t only repulsive looking, it can also represent a serious threat to your health. That’s why it’s incredibly important to get rid of damp and mould within your home, but to do this you’ll first need to find out what’s causing this to happen.

Why is a damp home dangerous?

Damp and mould can be hazardous to anyone but certain people, like children and the elderly, are more susceptible to it than others. Moulds produce substances that can cause an allergic reaction, as well as irritants and sometimes even toxic substances. Just the presence of these spores in the air can cause ailments like a skin rash or a runny nose. People with asthma may be particularly affected as moulds can cause asthma attacks.

What causes a damp home?

The main culprit of damp and mould appearing is excess moisture within a building. Moisture is the amount of water vapour that’s present within the air. The level of water vapour within your home can be affected by a multitude of simple everyday things, such as bathing or cooking. It may sound like it’s unavoidable to amass substantial levels of water vapour but there are a number of measures you can take to combat it, which in turn means you’ll minimise the risk of damp and mould appearing.

How to increase air circulation within your home

Air circulation within a home is important and it’s relatively simple to implement. One of the easiest things to do is just open your doors and windows to allow for air to travel in and out of the house without any obstacles. You might understandably be hesitant to do this though, especially in the winter as it can mean you’re wasting money by allowing heat to escape.

By opening windows and doors only when you’re doing specific tasks within your home, such as opening the windows in your kitchen when cooking or your bathroom windows when bathing, you can make an impact whilst not losing out on too much heat. You can always keep your internal doors open as it will have little-to-no impact on the temperature within your home but will allow the air to flow more freely.

Turning on a fan, be it a ceiling or desk fan, will massively help when it comes to ventilating your home. The increased power means that air is being pushed around your house more rapidly and is therefore entering and exiting the building at a faster rate.

Condensation causing moisture

Condensation on your windows can also contribute to excess moisture within your home. The previously mentioned techniques will help reduce the level of condensation within your home. A well-insulated home can reduce the frequency of condensation on your windows. In some cases, your windows may be more prone to condensation because they’re particularly old or were poorly installed.

If you think your windows are causing mould and damp to affect your home, it’s worth looking into replacing them with something more modern and less prone to condensation. At Jack of Glass, we offer windows that make use of things like high-quality double glazing and high-performance uPVC to ensure they’re thermally efficient with a reduced chance of condensation affecting you and your home.

Jack of Glass

Jack of Glass is based in High Wycombe and have over 30 years of experience in the fenestration industry, so if you’re looking for new windows, doors, or a variety of other glass products, you know where to go. For more information, contact us here or browse our website.