Prevent Seasonal Damp in Your Home With These Year-Round Tips

We all joke about the British weather and the endless drizzle and wet climate actually pose a serious risk for property owners in the UK. Rising and penetrating damp, condensation, woodworm and dry rot are all a very real threat, and with that in mind, here are a few tips to prevent seasonal damp damaging your home.

• Winter dampness – As you would expect, damp is more likely to be an issue in the winter months, due to the cold and musky weather. You should use your central heating to heat the whole house, as this dries out the moisture in the air; you might be reluctant to heat rooms that are not in use, yet a few hours 2-3 times a week will help prevent the onset of damp.
• Generate a good airflow – Damp and mould thrive in a still and humid environment, which is why good ventilation is so important. You can use natural ventilation by opening a few windows, or the use of extractor fans installed in the right locations. This is equally important all times of the year, especially in the summer when temperatures rise.
• Commission a damp survey in spring – We at London Damp Specialists are extremely busy after the winter as London homeowners book a damp and mould survey for an accurate assessment of damp and mould in their home. Our homebuyer damp survey is ideal; it comes in 3 levels, depending on the extent of the survey, plus there is an additional service where we analyse plaster samples for moisture content.
• Summer roof inspection – The roof is a critical component that keeps the harsh weather at bay and a leaking roof is sure to cause damp damage. It is important to clean out guttering, as this provides an escape route for excess rainwater; a bout of heavy rain can lead to water running down the exterior walls and this causes penetrating damp. Inspect all parts of the roof, looking for missing or broken shingles and should you find missing tiles, they should be replaced immediately.
• Add extra insulation prior to winter – You could add fibreglass material in the loft to help retain the heat in the home; if your home was built with cavity walls, you can have insulating foam pumped into the cavities and that will keep the home warmer for longer periods. Cavity wall insulation can also save energy as your central heating does not have to work as hard.
• Deep clean the bathroom – This will remove mould and mildew, which can be hazardous to your health; use powerful cleaning products and make sure you clean every inch of the bathroom and this will prevent mould and mildew growth.

At London Damp Specialists, we offer a wide range of damp proofing solutions and if you would like to have your property surveyed for damp and mould, call us on 020 7548 4864 or fill in the form on this website.

We offer an unconditional 30-year guarantee on all damp proofing work, which gives London homeowners peace of mind.