The Serious Health Risks of Damp and Mould: What You Need to Know

The wet climate here in the UK is the perfect environment for damp and mould to thrive and this can be a serious health risk. In this short article, we offer useful information for London homeowners about the serious health risks that damp and mould present.

What are the health risks associated with damp and mould?

Damp and mould generate allergens, irritants and spores that are toxic and therefore harmful to health, even mould that is not visible to the naked eye can be harmful. Excessive moisture is a breeding ground for mites, fungi and other micro-organisms and if such a situation is not addressed, it poses serious health risks for the house occupants. At London Damp Specialists, we offer a wide range of damp proofing services for London homeowners and if you suspect damp and mould are present in your home, we can carry out a thorough damp and mould survey, along with a quote for remedial work.

Respiratory conditions

Damp and mould release minute spores that are invisible to the naked eye and if inhaled, they can lodge in the lung tissue and cause respiratory infections.

Breathing conditions such as:

• Cough and shortness of breath
• Risk of airway infection, such as aspergillosis
• Allergic airway diseases like rhinitis, asthma and other respiratory conditions
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Other health risks

These include eye irritation, conjunctivitis, eczema and itchy skin irritation; those with a weakened immune system are more prone to contracting illness and disease. Young and elderly people are most at risk, as are those with pre-existing health issues; if you suspect damp and mould are present in your home, we are ready to carry out a thorough inspection and should we find any damp or mould issues, we recommend remedial work and issue an all-inclusive quote.

Preventative measures

There are some things that you can do to reduce the risk of damp and mould, such as:

• Generate a good airflow by opening windows and using extractor fans – Open bathroom windows after taking a hot bath or shower to dissipate condensation and excess moisture; do the same in the kitchen when you are cooking.
• Heat the whole house – This dries out the air, which, in turn reduces the risk of damp and mould. Of course, energy is not cheap these days and you might be reluctant to heat rooms that you are not using, but you should centrally heat the whole house for a few hours every couple of days.
• Wipe condensation – Leave a dry cloth by each window and mop up the water, which prevents condensation from taking hold.

At London Damp Specialists, we offer a wide range of damp proofing solutions and when you order a damp and mould survey, we issue a detailed report that includes recommended work.

We are proud to offer our customers a comprehensive 30-year guarantee; should you find damp issues after the work is completed, we will carry out repairs at no cost to you.